Lens moving apparatus with a bobbin comprising a groove and elastic members and camera module including the same

ABSTRACT

A lens moving apparatus, including a bobbin; a first coil mounted at an outer circumference of the bobbin; a first magnet moving the bobbin in a first direction parallel to an optical axis by interaction with the first coil; a housing supporting the first magnet; an upper elastic member disposed at a top surface of the bobbin and at a top surface of the housing; a lower elastic member disposed at a bottom surface of the bobbin and at a bottom surface of the housing; and first and second winding protrusions disposed with being opposite to each other, the first coil being wound on the first and second winding protrusions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 15/854,594 filed on Dec. 26, 2017, which is a continuation of Ser.No. 15/642,080, filed Jul. 5, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,885,849, issuedon Feb. 6, 2018), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/405,102, filed Jan. 12, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,726,852, issued onAug. 8, 2017), which is a continuation application of U.S. applicationSer. No. 15/221,208, filed Jul. 27, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,578,244,issued on Feb. 21, 2017), which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/638,893, filed Mar. 4, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,423,631,issued on Aug. 23, 2016), which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 toKorean Patent Application Nos. 10-2014-0026063, filed in Korea on Mar.5, 2014 and 10-2014-0078294, filed in Korea on Jun. 25, 2014 which arehereby incorporated in their entirety by references as if fully setforth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to a lens moving apparatus and a camera moduleincluding the same.

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to apply a technology related to a voice coil motor usedin a conventional general camera module to a low power consumption typesubminiature camera module. For this reason, research related theretohas been actively conducted.

A camera module mounted in a small-sized electronic product, such as asmart phone, may be frequently shocked during use. In addition, thecamera module may minutely shake due to a hand tremble of a user duringphotography. Therefore, there is a high necessity for a technologycapable of installing an optical image stabilizer in the camera module.

Much research has been conducted into the optical image stabilizer. Atechnology capable of moving an optical module along an x-axis and ay-axis perpendicular to an optical axis has been proposed for theoptical image stabilizer. According to this technology, an opticalsystem is moved in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis for imagecorrection. As a result, the structure is complicated andminiaturization is not possible.

In addition, an additional sensor for sensing the position of theoptical module moving along the optical axis is required to accuratelyfocus the optical module. In this case, it is necessary to electricallyconnect the sensor to a circuit board.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus capable of accuratelyfocusing a lens through a simple structure based on a simplified processand a camera module including the same.

Further, embodiments provide a miniature lens moving apparatus having anoptical image stabilization function, thereby improving reliability ofoperation and a camera module including the same.

In one embodiment, a lens moving apparatus includes a first lens movingunit including a bobbin having at least one lens mounted at an insidethereof and a first coil mounted at an outer circumference thereof, afirst magnet disposed around the bobbin while being opposite to thefirst coil, a housing for supporting the first magnet, and upper andlower elastic members coupled to the bobbin and the housing, the firstlens moving unit moving the bobbin in a first direction parallel to anoptical axis by interaction between the first magnet and the first coil,and a second lens moving unit including a base spaced apart from thefirst lens moving unit by a predetermined distance, a plurality ofsupport member pairs for supporting the housing such that the housing ismovable relative to the base in second and third directionsperpendicular to the first direction, a second coil opposite to thefirst magnet, and a circuit board having the second coil mountedthereon, the second lens moving unit moving the housing in the secondand third directions by interaction between the first magnet and thesecond coil, wherein the support member pairs are disposed at sides ofthe housing, each of the support member pairs includes first and secondsupport members separated from each other, the first and second supportmembers being disposed at the same side of the housing in a state inwhich the first and second support members are adjacent to each other,and power is supplied to the first coil through a first support memberpair, which is one of the support member pairs.

The sides of the housing may include a plurality of first sides providedat corners of the housing at which a plurality of first magnets ismounted, and a plurality of second sides connected to the respectivefirst sides, the second sides being formed as flat surfaces having apredetermined depth such that the support member pairs are disposed atthe respective second sides.

The upper elastic member may include first and second upper elasticmembers separated from each other, and the first and second upperelastic members may be connected to the first and second support membersof the first support member pair while being opposite to the first andsecond support members of the first support member pair for supplyingthe power to the first coil.

Each of the first and second upper elastic members may include an insideframe coupled to the bobbin, an outside frame coupled to the housing, aframe connection part connected between the inside frame and the outsideframe, and a support member contact part protruding from the outsideframe while being opposite to the first or second support member of thefirst support member pair.

The first lens moving unit may further include a first sensor supportedby the housing for detecting a position of the bobbin in the firstdirection, and a second magnet attached to the outer circumference ofthe bobbin while being opposite to the first sensor. The second magnetmay be disposed between the first magnets spaced apart from each otherin a circumferential direction of the bobbin. The first sensor may beinserted in or attached to the housing such that the first sensor issupported by the housing.

The lower elastic member may include first and second lower elasticmembers separated from each other, a first pin, which is one of aplurality of pins of the first sensor, may be connected to the circuitboard through a second support member pair, which is another of thesupport member pairs, and a second pin, which is another of the pins ofthe first sensor, may be connected to the circuit board through thefirst and second lower elastic members and a third support member pair,which is another of the support member pairs.

Each of the first and second lower elastic members may include an insideframe coupled to the bobbin, an outside frame coupled to the housing, aframe connection part connected between the inside frame and the outsideframe, and at least one sensor contact part protruding from the outsideframe such that the at least one sensor contact part can contact thesecond pin of the first sensor and the third support member pair.

The second support member pair and the third support member pair may beopposite to each other.

The first lens moving unit may further include a magnetic fieldcompensation metal member disposed at the outer circumference of thebobbin such that the magnetic field compensation metal member isopposite to the second magnet in a symmetric fashion, based on a centerof the bobbin.

The first and second support members may be symmetric in a directionperpendicular to the first direction.

Each of the first and second support members may include an upperterminal coupled to an upper end of a corresponding one of the secondsides of the housing, at least one elastic deformation part extendingfrom the upper terminal in a longitudinal direction while being bent atleast once into a predetermined shape, and a lower terminal extendingfrom the at least one elastic deformation part, the lower terminal beingcoupled to the base.

The upper terminal of the first support member of the first supportmember pair may be electrically connected to the first upper elasticmember, and the upper terminal of the second support member of the firstsupport member pair may be electrically connected to the second upperelastic member.

The upper terminal of the first support member of the second supportmember pair may be connected to a 1-1 pin, which is one pin constitutingthe first pin of the first sensor, and the upper terminal of the secondsupport member of the second support member pair may be connected to a1-2 pin, which is another pin constituting the first pin of the firstsensor.

A 2-1 pin, which is one pin constituting the second pin of the firstsensor, may be connected to one side of the first lower elastic member,a 2-2 pin, which is another pin constituting the second pin of the firstsensor, may be connected to one side of the second lower elastic member,the first support member of the third support member pair may beconnected to the other side of the first lower elastic member, and thesecond support member of the third support member pair may be connectedto the other side of the second lower elastic member.

The circuit board may include a pad unit connectable to the lowerterminal of each of the support member pairs.

In another embodiment, a lens moving apparatus includes a first lensmoving unit including a bobbin having at least one lens mounted at aninside thereof and a first coil mounted at an outer circumferencethereof, and a housing for supporting a magnet disposed around thebobbin, the first lens moving unit moving the bobbin and the first coilin a first direction parallel to an optical axis by interaction betweenthe magnet and the first coil, and a second lens moving unit including abase spaced apart from the bobbin and the first lens moving unit by apredetermined distance, a support member for supporting the first lensmoving unit such that the first lens moving unit is movable relative tothe base in second and third directions, the support member beingcapable of supplying power to the first coil, and a circuit boardincluding a second coil opposite to the magnet of the first lens movingunit and a sensor for detecting a position of the second lens movingunit relative to the base in the second and third directions, the secondlens moving unit moving the first lens moving unit including the bobbinin the second and third directions by interaction between the magnet andthe second coil, the second and third directions being perpendicular toan optical axis of the lens, the second and third directions beingdifferent from each other, wherein the bobbin is provided at a topsurface thereof with at least one groove having a width and a depthgreater than a diameter of the first coil.

The first lens moving unit may further include a pair of windingprotrusions protruding a direction perpendicular to an optical axis ofthe lens, and upper and lower elastic members each having an insideframe coupled to the bobbin and an outside frame coupled to the housing,a start portion and an end portion of the first coil may be wound on thepari of winding protrusions, respectively, the magnet may be fixed tothe housing at a position corresponding to a curved surface of the firstcoil, and the upper elastic member may close an opening of the groove ata coupling position.

The groove may include first and second grooves disposed at left andright sides of each of the winding protrusions.

Each of the winding protrusions may be provided at an end thereof with acatching projection for preventing separation of a corresponding one ofthe start and end portions of the first coil wound thereon.

The lens moving apparatus may further include a cover member coupled tothe base for covering the first and second lens moving units.

The bobbin may include a first stopper protruding from the top surfacethereof, the first stopper having a first height, and a second stopperprotruding from the side of the top surface thereof in a circumferentialdirection, the first stopper may prevent a body of the bobbin fromcolliding with the inside of the cover member, and the second stoppermay prevent the bobbin from colliding with the base.

The housing may be provided with a location groove at a positioncorresponding to the second stopper, the location groove having a sizecorresponding to the second stopper.

The housing may further include first sides provided at corners at whichfour magnets are mounted, second sides connected to the respective firstsides, the second sides being formed as flat surfaces having apredetermined length such that the support member are disposed at eachsecond side, a third stopper protruding from the top surface thereof forpreventing interference with the cover member, and a fourth stopperprotruding from the bottom surface thereof for preventing interferencewith the base.

Each of the second sides may include an escape groove for preventinginterference between the support member and the housing. Each of thesecond sides may further include a step formed at the upper side of theescape groove. Each of the second sides may further include a supportmember coupling part coupled to the support member. Four support membersmay be disposed in a symmetric fashion.

The support member may include a first fixing part fixedly coupled tothe housing, first and second elastic deformation parts extending fromthe first fixing part, and a second fixing part fixedly coupled to thebase.

At least 19 support members may be provided to support the second lensmoving unit. The first and second elastic deformation parts may be bentat least once to form a predetermined pattern.

The first and second elastic deformation parts may be bent at leastnineteenth times into at least one of a zigzag shape, an N shape havingstraight parts formed in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis,or a wire shape having no pattern.

The second fixing part may have a larger width than the first and secondelastic deformation parts.

The base may be provided with a support member location groove at aposition corresponding to the second fixing part of the support member.

The second coil may be mounted at the top surface of the circuit boarddisposed above the base. The second coil may be provided at the topsurface of the circuit board disposed above the base as a board having apattern coil, which may be coupled to the circuit board by stacking. Thesecond coil may be integrally formed at the top surface of the base inthe form of a surface electrode.

The magnet may be used as an auto focusing magnet for moving the bobbinin the first direction and an optical image stabilization magnet formoving the housing in the second and third directions.

In a further embodiment, a camera module includes an image sensor, aprinted circuit board having the image sensor mounted thereon, and thelens moving apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with referenceto the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a lens movingapparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens moving apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lens moving apparatus with a covermember shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 removed, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lens moving apparatus according toan embodiment with a bobbin, a first coil, a first magnet, a firstsensor, and a second magnet coupled;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lens moving apparatus according to anembodiment with the bobbin, the first magnet, the first sensor, thesecond magnet, and a magnetic field compensation metal member coupled;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a housing and the firstsensor according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the housing;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the lens moving apparatus accordingto an embodiment with the bobbin, the first magnet, the housing, a lowerelastic member, and a plurality of support member pairs coupled;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an upper elastic member according to anembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lower elastic member according toan embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a partially assembled perspective view of a second coil, acircuit board, and a base, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the second coil, the circuitboard, and the base, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a front view of each support member pair, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the circuit board, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the lower elastic member, first tofourth support member pairs, and the circuit board of the lens movingapparatus shown in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment ofthe lens moving apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the lens moving apparatus with a covermember shown in FIG. 1 removed, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bobbin shown in FIG. 17, according toan embodiment;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are enlarged views showing a winding protrusion of thebobbin;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are perspective and rear perspective views of a housing;

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of the housing to which the bobbinand a lower elastic member are coupled;

FIG. 25 is a front view of a support member, according to anotherembodiment;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are perspective views of a base, a circuit board, and asecond coil, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 18,according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 18,according to another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However,embodiments may be modified into various other forms. Embodiments arenot restrictive but are illustrative. Embodiments are provided to morecompletely explain the disclosure to a person having ordinary skill inthe art.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being ‘on’or ‘under’ another element, it can be directly on/under the element, andone or more intervening elements may also be present. When an element isreferred to as being ‘on’ or ‘under’, ‘under the element’ as well as ‘onthe element’ can be included based on the element.

In addition, relational terms, such as ‘first’ and ‘second’ and ‘upperpart’ and ‘lower part’, are used only to distinguish between one subjector element and another subject and element without necessarily requiringor involving any physical or logical relationship or sequence betweensuch subjects or elements.

In the drawings, the thicknesses or sizes of respective layers areexaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience andclarity of description. Further, the sizes of the respective elements donot denote the actual sizes thereof.

Hereinafter, a lens moving apparatus according to embodiments will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. For theconvenience of description, the lens moving apparatus will be describedusing a Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z). However, the disclosureis not limited thereto. Other different coordinate systems may be used.In the drawings, an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction aredirections perpendicular to a z-axis direction, which is an optical axisdirection. The z-axis direction, which is the optical axis direction,may be referred to a first direction, the x-axis direction may bereferred to a second direction, and the y-axis direction may be referredto a third direction.

An optical image stabilizer applied to a small-sized camera module of amobile device, such as a smart phone or a tablet PC, may be an apparatusfor counteracting the minute tremors and movements that occur whenhandholding the device and ensuring taking sharp photographs.

In addition, an auto focusing device is a device for automaticallyfocusing an image of a subject on an image sensor. The optical imagestabilizer and the auto focusing device may be variously configured. Inan embodiment, the lens moving apparatus may move an optical moduleincluding at least one lens in the first direction parallel to theoptical axis or in the second and third directions perpendicular to thefirst direction to perform an optical image stabilization operationand/or an auto focusing operation.

An Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a lens movingapparatus 1000, 2000 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is anexploded perspective view of the lens moving apparatus 1000 shown inFIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens moving apparatus 1000 may include afirst lens moving unit 100, a second lens moving unit 200, and a covermember 300. The first lens moving unit 100 may function as thepreviously mentioned auto focusing device, and the second lens movingunit 200 may function as the previously mentioned optical imagestabilizer.

The cover member 300 may be configured approximately in the form of abox. The cover member 300 may cover the first and second lens movingunits 100 and 200.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lens moving apparatus 1000 with thecover member 300 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 removed, according to theembodiment.

The first lens moving unit 100 may include a bobbin 110, a first coil120, a first magnet 130, a housing 140, an upper elastic member 150, anda lower elastic member 160.

In addition, the first lens moving unit 100 may further include a firstsensor 170 and a second magnet 180. Moreover, the first lens moving unit100 may further include a magnetic field compensation metal member 182.

Although a plurality of support member pairs 220 is shown as belongingto the first lens moving unit 100 in FIG. 2, the support member pairs220 may also belong to the second lens moving unit 200 in a functionalaspect. The support member pairs 220 will be discussed in detail whenthe second lens moving unit 200 is described.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lens moving apparatus 1000 with thebobbin 110, the first coil 120, the first magnet 130, the first sensor170, and the second magnet 180 coupled.

FIG. 5 is a plane view of the lens moving apparatus 1000 with the bobbin110, the first magnet 130, the first sensor 170, the second magnet 180,and the magnetic field compensation metal member 182 coupled.

Referring to the above-mentioned figures, the bobbin 110 may be mountedin an inner space of the housing 140 such that the bobbin 110 canreciprocate in a direction parallel to a first direction, i.e. anoptical axis direction.

The first coil 120 is mounted at the outer circumference of the bobbin110, as shown in FIG. 4, such that the first coil 120 and the firstmagnet 130 can electromagnetically interact with each other. To thisend, the first magnet 130 may be disposed around the bobbin 110 suchthat the first magnet 130 is opposite to the first coil 120.

In addition, when the bobbin 110 moves upward and/or downward in thefirst direction parallel to the optical axis to perform an auto focusingfunction, the bobbin 110 may be elastically supported by the upper andlower elastic members 150 and 160.

Although not shown, a lens barrel (not shown), in which at least onelens may be mounted, may be provided at the inside of the bobbin 110.The lens barrel may be mounted at the inside of the bobbin 110 invarious manners. For example, a female thread may be formed at the innercircumference of the bobbin 110, and a male thread corresponding to thefemale thread may be formed at the outer circumference of the lensbarrel such that the lens barrel can be coupled to the bobbin 110through thread engagement between the lens barrel and the bobbin 110.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the lens barrel may be directly fixed to theinside of the bobbin 110 using a method other than thread engagement, orone or more lenses may be integrally formed at the bobbin 110 withoutthe lens barrel. One lens may be coupled to the lens barrel, or two ormore lenses may constitute an optical system.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the housing 140 and thefirst sensor 170, and FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the housing140 according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bobbin 110 may include a first stopper111 and a second stopper (or winding protrusion) 112.

The first stopper 111 may prevent the top surface of a body of thebobbin 110 from directly colliding with the inside of the cover member300 shown in FIG. 1 although the bobbin 110 deviates from a prescribedrange due to external impact when the bobbin 110 moves in the firstdirection, i.e. the direction parallel to the optical axis, to performthe auto focusing function.

In addition, referring to FIG. 3, the first stopper 111 may alsofunction to guide a mounting position of the upper elastic member 150.According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of firststoppers 111 may protrude upward by a first height h1. At least fourstoppers 111 may each protrude in the form of a polygonal post.

In addition, as exemplarily shown, the first stoppers 111 may besymmetric with respect to the center of the bobbin 110. Alternatively,the first stoppers 111 may be asymmetrically arranged to avoidinterference with other parts. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, thehousing 140 may include first location grooves 146-1 formed at portionscorresponding to the first stoppers 111.

The second stopper (or winding protrusion) 112 may prevent the bottomsurface of the body of the bobbin 110 from directly colliding with abase 210 and the top surface of a circuit board 250 although the bobbin110 deviates from a prescribed range due to external impact when thebobbin 110 moves in the first direction, i.e. the direction parallel tothe optical axis, to perform the auto focusing function. As shown inFIG. 4, the second stopper 112 includes two stoppers 112 a and 112 b.However, the number of the stoppers constituting the second stopper 112is not particularly restricted.

According to this embodiment, the second stopper 112 may protrude fromthe outer circumference of the bobbin 110 in a circumferentialdirection. In this case, the housing 140 shown in FIG. 6 may includesecond location grooves 146-2 formed at portions corresponding to thestoppers 112 a and 112 b of the second stopper 112.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a case in which the first stoppers 111 areinitially located on first bottoms 146 a-1 of the first location grooves146-1 in contact, the auto focusing function may be controlled likeuni-directional control in a conventional voice coil motor (VCM). On theother hand, in a case in which the stoppers 112 a and 112 b of thesecond stopper 112 are initially located on second bottoms 146 a-2 ofthe second location grooves 146-2 in contact, the auto focusing functionmay be controlled like uni-directional control in the conventional voicecoil motor. That is, the bobbin 110 may move upward when current issupplied to the first coil 120, and bobbin 110 may move downward when nocurrent is supplied to the first coil 120 to realize the auto focusingfunction.

However, in a case in which the first stoppers 111 are initially spacedapart from the first bottoms 146 a-1 of the first location grooves146-1, the auto focusing function may be controlled according to thedirection of current like bi-directional control in the conventionalvoice coil motor. On the other hand, in a case in which the stoppers 112a and 112 b of the second stopper 112 are initially spaced apart fromthe second bottoms 146 a-2 of the second location grooves 146-2 by apredetermined distance, the auto focusing function may be controlledlike bi-directional control in the conventional voice coil motor. Thatis, the bobbin 110 may move upward or downward in the direction parallelto the optical axis to realize the auto focusing function. For example,the bobbin 110 may move upward when forward current is supplied, andbobbin 110 may move downward when reverse current is supplied.

The first location grooves 146-1 of the housing 140 corresponding to thefirst stoppers 111 may be formed in the concave shape. A second width w2of each of the first location grooves 146-1 shown in FIG. 6 may havemore uniform tolerance than a first width W1 of each of the firststoppers 111 shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the rotation of the firststoppers 111 in the first location grooves 146-1 may be restricted. Evenwhen force is applied the bobbin 110 in a direction in which the bobbin110 is rotated about the optical axis, not in the optical axisdirection, therefore, the first stoppers 111 may prevent the rotation ofthe bobbin 110. Of course, such a function of the first stopper 111 maybe performed by the second stopper 112.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the lens moving apparatus with thebobbin 110, the first magnet 130, the housing 140, the lower elasticmember 160, and the support member pairs 220 coupled.

A plurality of upper support protrusions 113 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 maybe formed at the top surface of the bobbin 110, and a plurality of lowersupport protrusions 114 shown in FIG. 8 may be formed at the bottomsurface of the bobbin 110.

As shown, the upper support protrusions 113 may each have ahemispherical shape. Alternatively, the upper support protrusions 113may each have a cylindrical or prismatic shape. However, the disclosureis not limited thereto.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the upper elastic member 150 accordingto the embodiment.

Referring to 9, the upper elastic member 150 may include a first upperelastic member 150 a and a second upper elastic member 150 belectrically separated from each other, according to the embodiment. Thefirst and second upper elastic members 150 a and 150 b may each includean inside frame 151 coupled to the bobbin 110, an outside frame 152coupled to the housing 140, and a frame connection part 153 connectedbetween the inside frame 151 and the outside frame 152. The frameconnection part 153 may be bent at least once to form a predeterminedpattern. The upward and/or downward movement of the bobbin 110 in thefirst direction parallel to the optical axis may be elasticallysupported by the change in position and minute deformation of the frameconnection part 153.

After the inside frame 151 and the outside frame 152 are coupled to thebobbin 110 and the housing 140, respectively, opposite ends of the firstcoil 120 may be electrically connected to the first and second upperelastic members 150 a and 150 b by soldering, at the top surfaceadjacent to the pair of winding protrusions 112, on which the oppositeends of the first coil 120 are wound, which will hereinafter bedescribed, such that power having different polarities can be suppliedto the first and second upper elastic members 150 a and 150 b. To thisend, the upper elastic member 150 may be divided into the first andsecond upper elastic members 150 a and 150 b.

In addition, the first upper elastic member 150 a may further include afirst support member contact part 150 a-1, and the second upper elasticmember 150 b may further include a second support member contact part150 b-1. The first and second support member contact parts 150 a-1 and150 b-1 may protrude from the outside frame 152. As shown in FIG. 9, thefirst and second support member contact parts 150 a-1 and 150 b-1 mayprotrude in the first indirection, i.e. the optical axis direction.However, the disclosure is not limited to a particular direction intowhich the first and second support member contact parts 150 a-1 and 150a-2 are protruded.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper support protrusions 113 mayfix the inside frame 151 of the upper elastic member 150 and the bobbin110 shown in FIG. 9 by coupling. According to this embodiment, theinside frame 151 may be provided at portions thereof corresponding tothe upper support protrusions 113 with first through holes 151 a.

The upper support protrusions 113 and the first through holes 151 a maybe fixed by thermal fusion or using an adhesive member, such as epoxy.

In addition, the distance between the upper support protrusions 113 maybe approximately set within a range capable of avoiding interferencewith peripheral parts. That is, the upper support protrusions 113 may bearranged at uniform intervals in a state in which the upper supportprotrusions 113 are symmetric with respect to the center of the bobbin110. Alternatively, the upper support protrusions 113 may be arrangedsymmetrically with respect to a specific imaginary line passing throughthe center of the bobbin 110 although the distance between the uppersupport protrusions 113 is not uniform.

The upper elastic member 150 shown in FIG. 9 may include the first andsecond upper elastic members 150 a and 150 b electrically separated fromeach other to function as terminals for supplying current to the firstcoil 120. In order to fix the divided first and second upper elasticmembers 150 a and 150 b, a sufficient number of upper supportprotrusions 113 may be provided. Consequently, incomplete couplingbetween the first and second upper elastic members 150 a and 150 b andthe bobbin 110 may be prevented.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lower elastic member 160 accordingto the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the lower elastic member 160 may include first andsecond lower elastic members 160 a and 160 b, according to theembodiment.

The first and second lower elastic members 160 a and 160 b may eachinclude an inside frame 161 coupled to the bobbin 110, an outside frame162 coupled to the housing 140, and a frame connection part 163connected between the inside frame 161 and the outside frame 162. Theframe connection part 163 may be bent at least once to form apredetermined pattern. The upward and/or downward movement of the bobbin110 in the first direction parallel to the optical axis may beelastically supported by the change in position and minute deformationof the frame connection part 163.

In addition, the first lower elastic member 160 a may include at leastone first sensor contact part, and the second lower elastic member 160 bmay include at least one second sensor contact part. Two first sensorcontact parts 160 a-1, 160 a-2 and two second sensor contact parts 160b-1 and 160 b-2 are shown in FIG. 10. However, the disclosure is notlimited to a specific shape of the first and second sensor contactparts.

The first sensor contact parts 160 a-1 and 160 a-2 and the second sensorcontact parts 160 b-1 and 160 b-2 may protrude from the outside frame162. In FIG. 10, the first sensor contact parts 160 a-1 and 160 a-2 andthe second sensor contact parts 160 b-1 and 160 b-2 are shown asprotruding from the outside frame 162 in the first direction. However,the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Since the lower elastic member 160 are divided into two parts asdescribed above, as a sufficient number of lower support protrusions 114as the upper support protrusions 113 may be provided to prevent aloosening phenomenon which may occur when the lower elastic member 160is separated.

In a case in which the lower elastic member 160 is a single body insteadof the divided shape, it is not necessary to provide as a large numberof lower support protrusions 114 as the upper support protrusions 113.This is because it is possible to stably couple the lower elastic member160 to the bobbin 110 even using a small number of lower supportprotrusions 114.

In a case in which the lower elastic member 160 is divided into thefirst and second lower elastic members 160 a and 160 b which areelectrically separated from each other as in the embodiment, however, asufficient number of lower support protrusions 114 may be provided tofix the first and second lower elastic members 160 a and 160 b.Consequently, incomplete coupling between the first and second lowerelastic members 160 a and 160 b and the bobbin 110 may be prevented.

Referring back to FIG. 8, the lower support protrusions 114 may eachhave a hemispherical shape like the upper support protrusions 113.Alternatively, the lower support protrusions 114 may each have acylindrical or prismatic shape. However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. The lower support protrusions 114 may fix the inside frame 161of the lower elastic member 160 and the bobbin 110 by coupling.

In addition, the first and second lower elastic members 160 a and 160 belectrically separated from each other may function as terminals forsupplying current to the first coil 120 instead of the first and secondupper elastic members 150 a and 150 b.

The reason that the lower elastic member 160 is divided as describedabove will be discussed in detail when the support member pairs 220 aredescribed.

According to this embodiment, the inside frames 161 of the first andsecond lower elastic members 160 a and 160 b may be provided at portionsthereof corresponding to the lower support protrusions 114 with secondthrough holes 161 a. The lower support protrusions 114 and the secondthrough holes 161 a may be fixed by thermal fusion or using an adhesivemember, such as epoxy.

In addition, the distance between the lower support protrusions 114 maybe approximately set within a range capable of avoiding interferencewith peripheral parts. That is, the lower support protrusions 114 may bearranged at uniform intervals in a state in which the lower supportprotrusions 114 are symmetric with respect to the center of the bobbin110.

The upper elastic member 150 and the lower elastic member 160 may eachbe a leaf spring. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring back to FIGS. 4 and 5, the winding protrusions (or secondstoppers) 112 may be formed with being protruded from the upper outercircumference of the bobbin 110. Opposite ends, i.e. a start portion andan end portion, of the first coil 120 may be wound on the windingprotrusions 112. At the top surface of the bobbin 110 adjacent to thewinding protrusions 112, the ends of the first coil 120 may beelectrically connected to the top surface of the upper elastic member150 by a conductive connection member, such as solder (S).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the winding protrusions 112 may beadjacent to each other at one side of the bobbin 110. Alternatively, apair of winding protrusions 112 may be arranged in bilateral symmetrywith respect to the center of the bobbin 110.

A catching projection 112 a-1 may be formed at the end of each of thewinding protrusions 112 for preventing separation of the wound firstcoil 120 or guiding the position of the first coil 120. As shown, thecatching projection 112 a-1 may be formed such that the width of eachwinding protrusion 112 protruding from the outer circumference of thebobbin 110 gradually increases. The catching projection 112 a-1 may havea step structure formed at the end thereof.

Meanwhile, the bobbin 110, the housing 140, and the upper and lowerelastic members 150 and 160 may be assembled by thermal fusion and/orbonding using an adhesive. At this time, the fixing operation may becompleted by bonding using an adhesive after thermal fusion according tothe assembly order.

For example, in a case in which the bobbin 110 and the inside frame 161of the lower elastic member 160 are assembled firstly, and the housing140 and the outside frame 162 of the lower elastic member 160 areassembled secondly, the lower support protrusions 114 of the bobbin 110,the second through holes 161 a coupled to the lower support protrusions114 of the bobbin 110, and third through holes 162 a coupled to lowerframe support protrusions 145 of the housing 140 may be fixed by thermalfusion. In a case in which the bobbin 110 and the inside frame 151 ofthe upper elastic member 150 are assembled thirdly, the upper supportprotrusions 113 of the bobbin 110 and the first through holes 151 acoupled thereto may be fixed by thermal fusion. In a case in which thehousing 140 and the outside frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150are fixed fourthly, fourth through holes 152 a coupled to upper framesupport protrusions 144 of the housing 140, which will hereinafter bedescribed, may be bonded using an adhesive member, such as epoxy.However, the assembly order may be changed. For example, thermal fusionmay be performed at the first to third assembly processes, and bondingmay be performed at the fourth fixing process. Thermal fusion may causedeformation, such as twist. For this reason, bonding may be performed atthe final step in order to make up for the deformation.

Meanwhile, the first coil 120 may be wound on the outer circumference ofthe bobbin 110 by a worker or a machine, and then the start portion andthe end portion of the first coil 120 may be wound on the windingprotrusions 112 for fixing. At this time, the worker may change theposition of the end of the first coil 120 wound on a corresponding oneof the winding protrusions 112.

The first coil 120 may be a coil block having a ring shape or apolygonal shape which can be fitted onto the outer circumference of thebobbin 110 in an intercalative binding shape. However, the disclosure isnot limited thereto. The first coil 120 may be directly wound on theouter circumference of the bobbin 110. In any case, the start portionand the end portion of the first coil 120 may be wound on the windingprotrusions 112 for fixing. Other configurations are the same.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first coil 120 may have approximately anoctagonal shape, which corresponds to the shape of the outercircumference of the bobbin 110. The bobbin 110 may also have anoctagonal shape. In addition, at least four sides of the first coil 120may be straight, and corners connected between the respective sides maybe straight. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The sidesand corners of the first coil 120 may be round.

Each straight portion of the first coil 120 may be a portion facing thefirst magnet 130. In addition, the surface of the first magnet 130facing the first coil 120 may have the same curvature as the first coil120. That is, in a case in which the first coil 120 is straight, thesurface of the first magnet 130 facing the first coil 120 may bestraight. On the other hand, in a case in which the first coil 120 iscurved, the surface of the first magnet 130 facing the first coil 120may be curved. In addition, even in a case in which in a case in whichthe first coil 120 is curved, the surface of the first magnet 130 facingthe first coil 120 may be straight and vice versa.

The first coil 120 moves the bobbin 110 in the direction parallel to theoptical axis to perform the auto focusing function. When current issupplied to the first coil 120, the first coil 120 may interact with thefirst magnet 130 to form electromagnetic force such that the bobbin 110can be moved by the electromagnetic force.

The first coil 120 may be configured to correspond to the first magnet130. In a case in which the first magnet 130 is a single body such thatthe entirety of the surface of the first magnet 130 facing the firstcoil 120 has the same polarity, the first coil 120 may also beconfigured such that the surface of the first coil 120 facing the firstmagnet 130 has the same polarity.

On the other hand, in a case in which the first magnet 130 is dividedinto two or four parts by surfaces perpendicular to the optical axis,and therefore the surface of the first magnet 130 facing the first coil120 is divided into two or more surfaces, the first coil 120 may also bedivided into parts corresponding to the number of the divided firstmagnets 130.

The first magnet 130 may be mounted at a position corresponding to thefirst coil 120. According to this embodiment, the first magnet 130 maybe mounted at each corner of the housing 140 as shown in FIG. 8. Thefirst magnet 130 may have a shape corresponding to the corner of thehousing 140. The first magnet 130 may have approximately a trapezoidalshape. The surface of the first magnet 130 facing the first coil 120 maybe formed to correspond to the curvature of the corresponding surface ofthe first coil 120.

The first magnet 130 may be a single body. In this embodiment, onesurface of the first magnet 130 facing the first coil 120 may have an Npole 134, and the other surface of the first magnet 130 may have an Spole 132. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Oppositeconfiguration is also possible.

At least two first magnets 130 may be mounted. According to thisembodiment, four first magnets 130 may be mounted. As shown in FIG. 5,each first magnet 130 may have a trapezoidal shape when viewed fromabove. Alternatively, each first magnet 130 may have a triangular shape.

The surface of each first magnet 130 facing the first coil 120 may bestraight. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In a case inwhich, the corresponding surface of the first coil 120 is curved, thesurface of each first magnet 130 facing the first coil 120 may be curvedat a corresponding curvature. In this case, the distance between eachfirst magnet 130 and the first coil 120 may be uniformly maintained.According to this embodiment, one first magnet 130 may be mounted ateach of four corners of the housing 140. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. According to design, one selected from the first magnet130 and the first coil 120 may be straight, and the other may be curved.Alternatively, both the facing surfaces of the first coil 120 and thefirst magnet 130 may be curved. At this time, the facing surfaces of thefirst coil 120 and the first magnet 130 may have the same curvature.

In a case in which each first magnet 130 has a trapezoidal shape whenviewed from above as shown in FIG. 5, one pair of first magnets 130 maybe arranged parallel to each other in a second direction, and anotherpair of first magnets 130 may be arranged parallel to each other in athird direction. In this arrangement structure, movement of the housing140 may be controlled for optical image stabilization, which willhereinafter be described.

The housing 140 may have a polygonal shape when viewed from above.According to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the housing 140may have an octagonal shape when viewed from above. Consequently, thehousing 140 may have a plurality of sides. For example, in case that thehousing 140 may have the octagonal shape when viewed from above, thehousing 140 may have eight sides. The sides may be divided into firstsides 141 and second sides 142. The first sides 141 may have sides atwhich the first magnets 130 are mounted, and the second sides 142 mayhave sides at which the support member pairs 220, which will hereinafterbe described, are disposed. To this end, a plurality of first sides 141may be connected to each second side 142, and each second side 142 maybe a flat surface having a predetermined depth.

The first sides 141 may be formed at the corners of the housing 140.According to this embodiment, each first side 141 may have a size equalto or greater than that of a corresponding one of the first magnets 130.Referring to FIG. 7, each first magnet 130 may be fixed to a magnetlocation part 141 a formed at the inside of a corresponding one of thefirst sides 141 of the housing 140. The magnet location part 141 a maybe a groove corresponding to the size of each first magnet 130. Themagnet location part 141 a may face at least three surfaces, i.e.opposite side surfaces and the top surface, of each first magnet 130. Anopening may be formed at the bottom surface of the magnet location part141 a, i.e. the surface of the magnet location part 141 a facing asecond coil 230, which will hereinafter be described, such that thebottom surface of the each first magnet 130 directly faces the secondcoil 230.

Each first magnet 130 may be fixed to the magnet location part 141 ausing an adhesive. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Eachfirst magnet 130 may be fixed to the magnet location part 141 a using anadhesive member, such as a double-sided tape. Alternatively, the magnetlocation part 141 a may be formed as a mounting hole, in which a portionof each first magnet 130 is inserted or exposed, instead of the grooveshown in FIG. 7.

Each first side 141 may be parallel to the side of the cover member 300.In addition, each first side 141 may have a larger size than each secondside 142.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each second side 142 may have anescape groove 142 a having a predetermined depth and having a concaveshape. The escape groove 142 a will be discussed in detail when thesupport member pairs 220 are described.

In addition, a plurality of third stoppers 143 may protrude from the topsurface of the housing 140. The third stoppers 143 may prevent collisionbetween the cover member 300 and the body of the housing 140.Specifically, the third stoppers 143 may prevent the top surface of thehousing 140 from directly colliding with the inside of the cover member300 when an external impact is applied to the lens moving apparatus. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 3, the third stoppers 143 may also functionas guides for separating the first and second upper elastic members 150a and 150 b from each other.

In addition, a plurality of upper frame support protrusions 144, towhich the outside frame 152 of the upper elastic member 150 is coupled,may be formed at the upper side of the housing 140. The number of theupper frame support protrusions 144 may be greater than that of theupper support protrusions 113. This is because the length of the outsideframe 152 is greater than that of the inside frame 151. The outsideframe 152 of the upper elastic member 150 may be provided with fourththrough holes 152 a corresponding to the upper frame support protrusions144. The upper frame support protrusions 144 may be fixed in the fourththrough holes 152 a using an adhesive or by thermal fusion.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of lower frame supportprotrusions 145, to which the outside frame 162 of the lower elasticmember 160 is coupled, may be formed in a protrusion shape at the lowerside of the housing 140.

The number of the lower frame support protrusions 145 may be greaterthan that of the lower support protrusions 114. This is because thelength of the outside frame 162 of the lower elastic member 160 isgreater than that of the inside frame 161.

As shown in FIG. 10, the outside frame 162 of the lower elastic member160 may be provided with third through holes 162 a corresponding to thelower frame support protrusions 145. The lower frame support protrusions145 may be fixed in the third through holes 162 a using an adhesive orby thermal fusion.

Although not shown, a fourth stopper may be further provided at thelower side of the housing 140. The fourth stopper may protrude from thebottom surface of the housing 140. The fourth stopper may prevent thebottom surface of the housing from colliding with the base 210 and/orthe circuit board 250, which will hereinafter be described. In addition,in an initial state or during normal operation, the fourth stopper mayremain spaced apart from the base 210 and/or the circuit board 250 by apredetermined distance. As a result, the housing 140 may be spaced apartin an upper direction from the base 210 and in a lower direction fromthe cover member 300 such that the height of the housing 140 in theoptical axis direction can be maintained by the support member pairs220, which will hereinafter be described, without upper and lowerinterference. Consequently, the housing 140 may perform a shiftingoperation in the second direction and the third direction, which are aforward and backward direction and a left and right direction,respectively, on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The shiftingoperation will hereinafter be described.

The first lens moving unit 100 may sense the position of the bobbin 110in the optical axis direction, i.e. a z-axis direction, and givefeedback of the sensed position to the outside through the circuit board250 to accurately control the movement of the bobbin 110. To this end,the first lens moving unit 100 may further include the first sensor 170and the second magnet 180.

The first sensor 170 may be supported by the housing 140. To this end, afirst sensor location groove 172 may be provided at the side of thehousing 140. The first sensor 170 may be disposed in the first sensorlocation groove 172 to sense the movement of the bobbin 110 in the firstdirection. To this end, the first sensor 170 may include a plurality ofpins.

At least one surface of the first sensor location groove 172 may betapered such that epoxy can be easily injected to assemble the firstsensor 170. In addition, no epoxy may be injected into the first sensorlocation groove 172 or epoxy may be injected to fix the first sensor170. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first sensor location groove 172may be disposed on the same line as the second magnet 180. Consequently,the center of the first sensor 170 may be aligned with that of thesecond magnet 180.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first sensor 170 may be insertedand supported in the housing 140. Alternatively, the first sensor 170may be attached to and supported by the housing 140 using an adhesivemember, such as epoxy or a doubles-sided tape.

The first sensor 170 may be a hall sensor. Any sensor capable of sensingthe change of magnetic force may be used as the first sensor 170.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second magnet 180 may be attached to theouter circumference of the bobbin 110 such that the second magnet 180 isopposite to the first sensor 170. According to this embodiment, thesecond magnet 180 may be disposed between the first magnets 130 arrangedat intervals in the circumferential direction of the bobbin 110 tominimize interference between the first magnets 130 and the secondmagnet 180. In addition, the second magnet 180 may be disposed above thefirst coil 120 wound on the bobbin 110. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 3. The housing140 is omitted from FIG. 11 for the convenience of description.

In a case in which the second magnet 180 is disposed, interactionbetween the first magnets 130 and the first coil 120 may be interferedby the second magnet 180 because the magnetic field is induced by thesecond magnet 180. According to this embodiment, therefore, the firstlens moving unit 100 may further include the magnetic field compensationmetal member 182 for minimizing the interference of interaction betweenthe first magnets 130 and the first coil 120.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, the magnetic field compensation metalmember 182 may be disposed at the outer circumference of the bobbin 110such that the magnetic field compensation metal member 182 is oppositeto the second magnet 180 in a symmetric fashion. That is, the magneticfield compensation metal member 182 and the second magnet 180 may belocated on the same line HL in the third direction, i.e. a y-axisdirection, to minimize the interference of interaction between the firstmagnets 130 and the first coil 120.

According to this embodiment, the magnetic field compensation metalmember 182 may be made of a metal. Specifically, the magnetic fieldcompensation metal member 182 may be made of a magnetic material, suchas a magnetic body or a magnet.

According to circumstances, the first lens moving unit 100 may notinclude the first sensor 170, the second magnet 180, and the magneticfield compensation metal member 182. Alternatively, the first lensmoving unit 100 may further include various devices for improving theauto focusing function of the first lens moving unit 100 in addition tothe first sensor 170. In this case, arrangement of the devices or amethod or process of receiving power from the circuit board 250 andsupplying a necessary signal to the circuit board 250 may be identicalto that for the first sensor 170.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the second lens moving unit 200, whichfunctions as the optical image stabilizer as previously described, mayinclude a first lens moving unit 100, a base 210, a plurality of supportmember pairs 220, a second coil 230, and a second sensor 240, and acircuit board 250.

The first lens moving unit 100 may have the same configuration asdescribed above. However, the first lens moving unit 100 may be replacedby an optical system having an auto focusing function different from theabove configuration. That is, the first lens moving unit 100 may beconstituted by an optical module using a single lens moving actuator ora reflective index variable type actuator instead of using a voice coilmotor type auto focusing actuator. That is, any optical actuator capableof performing an auto focusing function may be used as the first lensmoving unit 100. However, it is necessary to mount the first magnets 130at positions corresponding to the second coil 230.

FIG. 12 is a partially assembled perspective view of the second coil230, the circuit board 250, and the base 210, and FIG. 13 is an explodedperspective view of the second coil 230, the circuit board 250, and thebase 210.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base 210 of the second lens moving unit 200 mayhave a quadrangular shape when viewed from above. The support memberpairs 220 may be fixed to straight sides of the base 210. As shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, the base 210 may be provided with steps 211, to whichan adhesive may be applied to fix the cover member 300 to the base 210.The bottom surfaces of the steps 211 may come into surface contact withthe end of the cover member 300.

The base 210 may be spaced apart from the first lens moving unit 100 bya predetermined distance. The base 210 may be provided at a surfacethereof facing a portion at which a terminal 251 of the circuit board250 is formed with a support groove having a corresponding size. Thesupport groove may be depressed inward from the outer circumference ofthe base 210 by a predetermined depth for restricting a terminal surface253 at which the terminal 251 is formed not to protrude outward oradjusting the protruding length of the terminal surface 253. The steps211 may guide the cover member 300 coupled to the upper side thereof. Inaddition, the end of the cover member 300 may be coupled to the steps211 in surface contact. The steps 211 and the end of the cover member300 may be fixed and sealed using an adhesive.

The base 210 may be provided at the edge of the top surface thereof withsupport member location grooves 214 having a concave shape, into whichthe support member pairs 220 are inserted. An adhesive may be applied tothe support member location grooves 214 to securely fix the supportmember pairs 220. The ends of the support member pairs 220 may beinserted or disposed in the support member location grooves 214 and thenfixed using an adhesive. A plurality of support member location grooves214 or at least one support member location groove 214 may be formed atthe straight sides of the base 210 at which the support member pairs 220are mounted. The support member location grooves 214 may each haveapproximately a quadrangular shape.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, two support member location grooves214 may be provided at each straight side of the base 210. The number ofthe support member location grooves 214 may be increased or decreasedaccording to the shape of the support member pairs 220. For example, onesupport member location groove or three or more support member locationgrooves may be provided at each straight side of the base 210. In thisembodiment, two support member location grooves 214 are provided at eachstraight side of the base 210 such that ends of first and second supportmembers of the support member pairs 220 can be inserted or disposed inthe support member location grooves 214.

In addition, the base 210 may be provided at the top surface thereofwith a second sensor location groove 215 in which the second sensor 240is disposed. According to this embodiment, two second sensor locationgrooves 215 may be provided, and the second sensor 240 may be disposedin each second sensor location groove 215 for sensing movement of thehousing 140 in the second and third directions. To this end, the twosecond sensor location grooves 215 may be arranged such that an anglebetween imaginary lines interconnecting the second sensor locationgrooves 215 and the center of the base 210 is 90 degrees.

At least one surface of each second sensor location groove 215 may betapered such that epoxy can be easily injected to assemble the secondsensor 240. In addition, no epoxy may be injected into each secondsensor location groove 215 or epoxy is injected to fix the second sensor240. The second sensor location grooves 215 may be disposed at thecenter or near the center of the second coil 230. Alternatively, thecenter of the second coil 230 may be aligned with that of the secondsensor 240. According to this embodiment, the second sensor locationgrooves 215 may be disposed at the corners of the base 210 to minimizeinterference with the support member pairs 220.

The second sensor 240 may be located at the center of the second coil230 in a state in which the circuit board 250 is disposed between thesecond sensor 240 and the second coil 230. That is, the second sensor240 may not be directly connected to the second coil 230 but the secondcoil 230 may be located over the top surface of the circuit board 250and the second sensor 240 may be located below the bottom surface of thecircuit board 250. According to this embodiment, the second sensor 240,the second coil 230, and the first magnets 130 may be located on thesame axis.

Consequently, the second coil 230 may interact with the first magnets130 to move the housing 140 in the second direction and/or the thirddirection for optical image stabilization.

The cover member 30 may be provided at portions thereof corresponding tothe steps 211 with grooves, into which an adhesive may be injected. Theadhesive may have low viscosity such that the adhesive injected into thegrooves flows to surface contact positions between the steps 211 and theend of the cover member 300.

The adhesive injected into the groove may fill a gap defined between thecover member 300 and the base 210 such that the cover member 300 and thebase 210 can be coupled to each other in a sealed state.

In addition, the base 210 may be provided at the bottom surface thereofwith a location part (not shown) at which a filter is mounted. Thefilter may be an infrared cut off filter. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. The base 210 may be provided at the lower part thereofwith an additional sensor holder in which the filter is disposed. Inaddition, a sensor board having an image sensor mounted thereon may becoupled to the bottom surface of the base 210 to constitute a cameramodule, which will hereinafter be described.

The support member pairs 220 may be disposed at the respective sides ofthe housing 140. In this embodiment, each support member pair 220 mayinclude first and second support members. Alternatively, each supportmember pair 220 may include three or more support members.

For example, in a case in which the housing 140 has a polygonal shapewhen viewed from above as described above, the housing 140 has aplurality of sides. In a case in which the housing 140 has an octagonalshape when viewed from above as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the supportmember pairs 220 may be disposed at corresponding ones of the eightsides. Alternatively, in a case in which the housing 140 has aquadrangular shape when viewed from above, the support member pairs 220may be disposed at the four sides. Hereinafter, a description will begiven on the assumption that the number of the support member pairs 220is four as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 although the number of the supportmember pairs 220 may be three. That is, first to fourth support memberpairs 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4 may be disposed at the four secondsides 142 of the housing 140.

FIG. 14 is a front view of each support member pair 220 according to theembodiment.

The first to fourth support member pairs 220 (220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and220-4) may be individually disposed at the four second sides 142 of thehousing 140, among the eight sides of the housing 140, for supportingthe housing 140 while being spaced apart from the base 210 by apredetermined distance. Since the first to fourth support member pairs220 (220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4) are disposed at the second sides142 of the housing 140 according to this embodiment, the four supportmember pairs may be arranged in a symmetric fashion. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. For example, two support member pairsmay be disposed at each straight side of the housing 140. In this case,therefore, the eight support member pairs may be disposed at the secondsides of the housing 140.

The first to fourth support member pairs 220 (220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and220-4) may each include first and second support members 220 a and 220 bseparated from each other. That is, the first support member pair 220-1may include a first support member 220 a-1 and a second support member220 b-1. The second support member pair 220-2 may include a firstsupport member 220 a-2 and a second support member 220 b-2. The thirdsupport member pair 220-3 may include a first support member 220 a-3 anda second support member 220 b-3. The fourth support member pair 220-4may include a first support member 220 a-4 and a second support member220 b-4. The first and second support members may be mounted at the sameside of the housing 140 in a state in which the first and second supportmembers are adjacent to each other.

The first support members 220 a-1, 220 a-2, 220 a-3, and 220 a-4 and thesecond support members 220 b-1, 220 b-2, 220 b-3, and 220 b-4 may eachinclude an upper terminal 221, at least one elastic deformation part222, 223, and 225, and a lower terminal 224. In addition, the first andsecond support members shown in FIG. 14 may be symmetric in a direction(e.g. in the x-direction or the y-axis direction) perpendicular to thefirst direction, i.e. the z-axis direction. In a case in which thesupport member pair 220 shown in FIG. 14 is the first or fourth supportmember pair 220-1 or 220-4 shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the first and secondsupport members may be symmetric in the y-axis direction perpendicularto the z-axis direction. On the other hand, in a case in which thesupport member pair 220 shown in FIG. 14 is the second or third supportmember pair 220-2 or 220-3, the first and second support members may besymmetric in the x-axis direction perpendicular to the z-axis direction.

The bottom surfaces of the escape grooves 142 a of the housing 140 shownin FIGS. 6 and 7 may be open to prevent interference between the lowerterminals 224 of the support member pairs 220 and the housing 140. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 7, steps 142 b may be formed at upper sidesof the escape grooves 142 a for supporting the insides of the upperterminals 221 of the support member pairs 220.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 14, the upper terminal 221 is coupled to theupper end of a corresponding second side 142 of the housing 140. Theupper terminal 221 may be provided with a groove 147a corresponding to acoupling protrusion 147 formed at the second side 142 such that theupper terminal 221 can be fixed to the upper end of the second side 142of the housing 140 by fitting of the coupling protrusion 147 into thegroove 147a. The upper terminal 221 may be electrically connected to theupper elastic member 150.

According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the first and secondsupport member contact parts 150 a-1 and 150 b-1 of the first and secondupper elastic members 150 a and 150 b may be opposite to each other suchthat the first and second support member contact parts 150 a-1 and 150b-1 can be electrically connected to the upper terminals 221 of thefirst and second support members 220 a-1 and 220 b-1 of the firstsupport member pair 220-1, respectively. The first support member pairis one allocated for supplying power to the first coil 120, among thefirst to fourth support member pairs 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4. Asthe first and second support members 220 a-1 and 220 b-1 are disposed atthe same side of the housing 140 in a state in which the first andsecond support members are adjacent to each other, therefore, the firstand second support member contact parts 150 a-1 and 150 b-1 of the firstand second upper elastic members 150 a and 150 b may be disposed withbeing adjacent to each other.

Referring to FIG. 3, the upper terminal 221 of the first support member220 a-1 of the first support member pair 220-1 may be electricallyconnected to the first support member contact part 150 a-1 at a firstcontact point CP1 by soldering. In addition, the upper terminal 221 ofthe second support member 220 b-1 of the first support member pair 220-1may be electrically connected to the second support member contact part150 b-1 at a second contact point CP2 by soldering. That is, the upperterminal 221 of the first support member 220 a-1 of the first supportmember pair 220-1 may be electrically connected to the first upperelastic member 150 a. The upper terminal 221 of the second supportmember 220 b-1 of the first support member pair 220-1 may beelectrically connected to the second upper elastic member 150 b.Consequently, the first and second upper elastic members 150 a and 150b, which are separated from each other, may be electrically connected tothe first and second support members 220 a-1 and 220 b-1 of the firstsupport member pair 220-1, respectively, to supply power (or current)received from the circuit board 250 to the first coil 120.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the upper terminals 221 of the firstand second support members may include first contact terminals 221 a forsupplying power to the first and second upper elastic members 150 a and150 b. Each first contact terminal 221 a may be disposed at an uppercorner of a corresponding one of the upper terminals 221. Alternatively,the first contact terminals 221 a may be disposed separately from therespective upper terminals 221. Positive (+) power or negative (−) powermay be applied to each of the first contact terminals 221 a of the firstand second support members.

In addition, the upper terminals 221 of the first and second supportmembers may further include second contact terminals 221 b forinterconnecting the first sensor 170 and the circuit board 250. Eachsecond contact terminal 221 b may be disposed at a lower corner of acorresponding one of the upper terminals 221. Alternatively, the secondcontact terminals 221 b may be disposed separately from the respectiveupper terminals 221.

The at least one elastic deformation part 222, 223, and 225 may extendfrom each upper terminal 221 in a longitudinal direction while beingbent at least once to form a predetermined pattern. The longitudinaldirection may be a direction in which the upper terminal 221 and thelower terminal 224 are connected to each other.

According to this embodiment, the at least one elastic deformation partmay include first and/or second elastic deformation parts 222 and 223.

In a case in which the first elastic deformation part 222 is bent twiceor more into a zigzag shape, the second elastic deformation part 223 maybe formed correspondingly. However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. According to another embodiment, the second elastic deformationpart 223 may be omitted or may have a different shape from the firstelastic deformation part 222. FIG. 14 shows merely one embodiment. Theelastic deformation parts may have various other patterns. The first andsecond elastic deformation parts 222 and 223 may be integrated into asingle elastic deformation part. Alternatively, the first and secondelastic deformation parts 222 and 223 may be configured in the form of asuspension wire having no pattern.

According to this embodiment, straight parts of the first and secondelastic deformation parts 222 and 223 may be approximately parallel to aplane perpendicular to the optical axis.

When the housing 140 moves in the second direction and/or the thirddirection perpendicular to the optical axis, the first and secondelastic deformation parts 222 and 223 may be minutely and elasticallydeformed in a moving direction of the housing 140 or a longitudinaldirection of the support member pair. As a result, the housing 140 maymove substantially in the second direction and/or the third directionperpendicular to the optical axis with little change in position of thehousing 140 in the first direction parallel to the optical axis, therebyimproving accuracy of optical image stabilization. This is based onproperties of the elastic deformation parts 222 and 223 extending in thelongitudinal direction.

In addition, the at least one elastic deformation part may furtherinclude a connection part 225.

The connection part 225 may be disposed at midway between the first andsecond elastic deformation parts 222 and 223. However, the disclosure isnot limited thereto. The connection part 225 may be disposed with beingconnected to one of the elastic deformation parts. The first and secondelastic deformation parts 222 and 223 may be provided in a state inwhich the connection part 225 is disposed at a middle therebetween. Inaddition, first and second elastic deformation parts 222 and 223 mayhave corresponding shapes.

The connection part 225 may be formed in a plate shape for functioningas a damper. The connection part 225 may be provided with a plurality ofholes (not shown) or grooves (not shown), through which the connectionpart 225 and the housing 140 may constitute a damping unit using a UVdamper.

In this embodiment, the first and second elastic deformation parts 222and 223 are disposed between the upper terminal 221 and the lowerterminal 224. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Accordingto another embodiment, one or more elastic deformation parts may beprovided at opposite ends of each of the first and second supportmembers unlike FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 14, the lower terminal 224 may be provided at one endof each of the first and second support members. The lower terminal 224may extend from the at least one elastic deformation part 222, 223, and225 such that the lower terminal 224 can be coupled to the base 210. Oneend 224 a of the lower terminal 224 may be inserted or disposed in acorresponding one of the support member location grooves 214 formed atthe base 210 and fixed using an adhesive member, such as epoxy. However,the disclosure is not limited thereto. The support member locationgroove 214 has a shape corresponding to the lower terminal 224 so thatthe lower terminal 224 may be fitted into the support member locationgroove 214. Alternatively, the end 224 a of the lower terminal 224 maybe divided into two or more parts. Correspondingly, the base 210 may beprovided with two or more support member location grooves 214 persupport member.

In addition, the other end 224 b of the lower terminal 224 may belocated on and connected to the upper end of each pad of pad units252-1, 252-2, 252-3, and 252-4 of the circuit board 250.

The lower terminal 224 may be formed in a plate shape having a largerwidth than the first and second elastic deformation parts 222 and 223.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The lower terminal 224may have a width equal to or less than that of the first and secondelastic deformation parts 222 and 223.

Meanwhile, the second coil 230 may be disposed opposite to the firstmagnets 120 fixed to the housing 140. For example, the second coil 230may be disposed outside the first magnets 130. Alternatively, the secondcoil 230 may be mounted under the first magnets 130 while being spacedapart from the first magnets 130 by a predetermined distance.

According to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, four secondcoils 230 may be mounted at the four corners of the circuit board 250.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Only two second coils230 may be mounted at the circuit board 250. In this case, one of thesecond coils may be disposed in the second direction, and the othersecond coil may be disposed in the third direction. Alternatively, morethan four second coils 230 may be mounted at the circuit board 250. Inthis embodiment, the circuit board 250 may have a circuit patterncorresponding to the second coils 230, and the separate second coils 230may be additionally disposed on the circuit board 250. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. Only the second coils 230 may bedisposed on the circuit board 250 in a state in which the circuit board250 has no circuit pattern corresponding to the second coils 230.Alternatively, a wire may be wound in a donut to constitute a secondcoil 230, or a second coil 230 may be formed in an FP coil shape, andthe second coil 230 may be electrically connected to the circuit board250.

A circuit member 231 including the second coils 230 may be mounted atthe top surface of the circuit board 250 disposed above the base 210.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The second coils 230 maybe disposed in tight contact with the base 210 or may be spaced apartfrom the base 210 by a predetermined distance. Alternatively, the secondcoils 230 may be formed at an additional board, which may be connectedto the circuit board 250 by stacking. The housing 140 may move in thesecond and third directions according to interaction between the firstmagnets 130 and the second coils 230 realized as described above. Tothis end, the first to fourth support member pairs 220-1, 220-2, 220-3,and 220-4 may support the housing 140 such that the housing 140 can moverelative to the base 210 in the second and third directionsperpendicular to the first direction.

Meanwhile, the second sensor 240 may be disposed at the center of thesecond coil 230 for sensing motion of the housing 140. The second sensor240 may be a hall sensor. Any sensor capable of sensing the change ofmagnetic force may be used as the second sensor 240. As shown in FIG.13, two second sensors 240 may be disposed at corresponding corners ofthe base 210 disposed under the circuit board 250. The second sensors240 may be inserted and disposed in the second sensor location grooves215 formed at the base 210. The bottom surface of the circuit board 250may be a surface of the circuit board 250 opposite to the surface of thecircuit board 250 at which the second coils 230 are disposed.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the circuit board 250 according to theembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 15, the circuit board 250 may include aplurality of pad units 252-1, 252-2, 252-3, and 252-4. The pad units252-1, 252-2, 252-3, and 252-4 may have a shape adapted for beingconnected to the ends 224 b of the lower terminals 224 of each of thesupport member pairs 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4. That is, the ends224 b of the lower terminals 224 of the first and second support members220 a-1 and 220 b-1 of the first support member pair 220-1 may beconnected to pads of the first pad unit 252-1. The ends 224 b of thelower terminals 224 of the first and second support members 220 a-2 and220 b-2 of the second support member pair 220-2 may be connected to padsof the second pad unit 252-2. The ends 224 b of the lower terminals 224of the first and second support members 220 a-3 and 220 b-3 of the thirdsupport member pair 220-3 may be connected to pads of the third pad unit252-3. The ends 224 b of the lower terminals 224 of the first and secondsupport members 220 a-4 and 220 b-4 of the fourth support member pair220-4 may be connected to pads of the fourth pad unit 252-4. The firstto fourth pad units 252-1, 252-2, 252-3, and 252-4 may each include twopads, which are connected to the first and second support members of acorresponding one of the support member pairs, respectively.

The circuit board 250 may further include a plurality of terminals 251electrically connected to the pad units 252-1, 252-2, 252-3, and 252-4.

The circuit board 250 may be coupled to the top surface of the base 210.The circuit board 250 may be provided with fifth through holes 255,through which the support member location grooves 214 are exposed. Thecircuit board 250 may be provided with a bent terminal surface 253.According to this embodiment, at least one terminal 251 may be mountedat one bent terminal surface 253 of the circuit board 250.

According to this embodiment, external power may be received through theterminals 251 mounted at the terminal surface 253 to supply the power tothe first and second coils 120 and 230 and the first sensor 170. Inaddition, a signal from the first sensor 170 may be output to theoutside as a feedback signal necessary to control the position of thebobbin 110.

The number of the terminals 251 mounted at the terminal surface 253 maybe changed based on the kinds of components to be controlled.

According to this embodiment, the circuit board 250 may be a flexibleprinted circuit board (FPCB). However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. The terminals of the circuit board 250 may be directly formedat the surface of the base 210 using a surface electrode method.

Hereinafter, a process of supplying power to the first sensor 170 andtransmitting a sensing signal output from the first sensor 170 to thecircuit board 250 using the support member pairs 220 in the lens movingapparatus 1000 with the above-stated construction will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

In a case in which the first sensor 170 is a hall sensor, the hallsensor 170 may have a plurality of pins. For example, the pins mayinclude first and second pins. The first pins may include 1-1 and 1-2pins connected to voltage and ground, respectively. The second pins mayinclude 2-1 and 2-2 pins for outputting sensed results. The sensedresults output through the 2-1 and 2-2 pins may be current. However, thedisclosure is not limited to a type of sensed results.

According to this embodiment, power may be supplied from the circuitboard 250 to the 1-1 and 1-2 pins of the first sensor 170 using thesecond support member pair 220-2, and the sensed results may betransmitted from the 2-1 and 2-2 pins of the first sensor 170 to thecircuit board 250 using the third support member pair 220-3. The secondsupport member pair may be any one of the first to fourth support memberpairs 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4 excluding the first support memberpair 220-1. In addition, the third support member pair may be any one ofthe first to fourth support member pairs 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4excluding the first and second support member pairs 220-1 and 220-2.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the lower elastic member 160, thefirst to fourth support member pairs 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4, andthe circuit board 250 of the lens moving apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 3.

The 1-1 and 1-2 pins of the first sensor 170 may be connected to thecircuit board 250 via the second support member pair 220-2.

To this end, the second contact terminals 221 b of the upper terminals221 of the first and second support members shown in FIG. 14 may beused. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The upperterminals 221 may be connected to the 1-1 and 1-2 pins using other formsof the second contact terminals 221 b.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, the second contact terminal 221 b ofthe upper terminal 221 of the first support member 220 a-2 of the secondsupport member pair 220-2 may be electrically connected to the 1-1 pinat a third contact point CP3, and the second contact terminal 221 b ofthe upper terminal 221 of the second support member 220 b-2 of thesecond support member pair 220-2 may be electrically connected to the1-2 pin at a fourth contact point CP4. In addition, the lower terminals224 of the first and second support members 220 a-2 and 220 b-2 of thesecond support member pair 220-2 may be connected to the pads of thesecond pad unit 252-2 of the circuit board 250 at seventh and eighthcontact points CP7 and CP8, respectively.

As a result, the 1-1 and 1-2 pins of the first sensor 170 may beconnected to the circuit board 250 through the first and second supportmembers 220 a-2 and 220 b-2 of the second support member pair 220-2.Referring to FIG. 16, electric conduction paths from the 1-1 and 1-2pins of the first sensor 170 to the second pad unit 252-2 of the circuitboard 250 are denoted by P1 and P2, respectively.

In addition, the 2-1 and 2-2 pins of the first sensor 170 may beconnected to the circuit board 260 through the third support member pair220-3 via the first and second lower elastic members 160 a and 160 b.

To this end, as shown in FIG. 3, the 2-1 pin may be electricallyconnected to one end of the 1-1 sensor contact part 160 a-1, which isone side of the first lower elastic member 160 a, at a fifth contactpint CP5, and the 2-2 pin may be electrically connected to one end ofthe second sensor contact part 160 b-1, which is one side of the secondlower elastic member 160 b, at a sixth contact point CP6.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 16, the 1-1 sensor contact part160 a-1, which is one side of the first lower elastic member 160 a, maybe connected to the second contact terminal 221 b of the first supportmember 220 a-3 of the third support member pair 220-3 at a ninth contactpoint CP9 through the outside frame 162 and the 1-2 sensor contact part160 a-2, which is the other side of the first lower elastic member 160a. In addition, the 2-1 sensor contact part 160 b-1, which is one sideof the second lower elastic member 160 b, may be connected to the secondcontact terminal 221 b of the second support member 220 b-3 of the thirdsupport member pair 220-3 at a tenth contact point CP10 through theoutside frame 162 and the 2-2 sensor contact part 160 b-2, which is theother side of the second lower elastic member 160 b.

The lower terminals 224 extending from the second contact terminals 221b of the first and second support members 220 a-3 and 220 b-3 of thethird support member pair 220-3 are connected to the pads of the thirdpad unit 252-3 of the circuit board 250. Consequently, the 2-1 and 2-2pins of the first sensor 170 may be connected to the circuit board 250through the third support member pair 220-3 via the lower elastic member160. Referring to FIG. 16, electric conduction paths from the 2-1 and2-2 pins of the first sensor 170 to the third pad unit 252-3 of thecircuit board 250 are denoted by P3 and P4, respectively.

According to this embodiment, the second support member pair 220-2connecting the 1-1 and 1-2 pins of the first sensor 170 to the circuitboard 250 and the third support member pair 220-3 connecting the 2-1 and2-2 pins of the first sensor 170 to the circuit board 250 may besymmetric in the y-axis direction. To this end, the second supportmember pair 220-2 and the third support member pair 220-3 may bedisposed at opposite sides of the housing 140.

In a case in which the number of the support members of the lens movingapparatus 1000 is four, two of which is used to supply power to thefirst coil 120, the number of the pads required by the circuit board 250is merely two. According to this embodiment, however, the number of thesupport members is eight, two of which are used to supply power to thefirst coil 120 and four of which are used to connect the four pins ofthe first sensor 170 to the circuit board 250. Consequently, the numberof the pads necessary for the circuit board 250 may be six. Since thenumber of the support members is increased according to this embodiment,the number of the pads necessary for the circuit board 250 may beincreased, and therefore the number of the terminals 251 may beincreased.

In a case in which the number of the terminals 251 of the circuit board250 is 14 when the number of the support members is four, the number ofthe terminals 251 of the circuit board 250 may be 18 to 20 according tothis embodiment. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the lens moving apparatus 1000, the first to fourth support memberpairs 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4 may each include the first andsecond support members electrically separated from each other. Power maybe supplied to the first coil 120 using the first support member pair220-1. The upper terminals 221 of the first and second support members220 a-1 and 220 b-1 of the first support member pair 220-1 are disposedat the same side of the housing while being adjacent to each other. Theupper terminal 221 of the first support member 220 a-1 is opposite tothe first support member contact part 150 a-1 of the first upper elasticmember 150 a, and the upper terminal 221 of the second support member220 b-1 is opposite to the second support member contact part 150 b-1 ofthe second upper elastic member 150 b. Consequently, the first supportmember pair 220-1 and the upper elastic member 150 may be electricallyconnected to each other at one side of the housing 140 by soldering, andtherefore, the manufacturing process is simpler than when the first andsecond support member contact parts 150 a-1 and 150 b-1 are opposite toeach other by 180 degrees symmetrically with respect to the bobbin 110.

In addition, in a case in which the lens moving apparatus 1000 furtherincludes the first sensor 170 to accurately control the position of thebobbin 110, no additional member for the first sensor 170 is required.This is because four pins of the first sensor 170 may be connected tothe circuit board 250 by using the support member pairs 220 and thelower elastic member 160 used for optical image stabilization withoutusing an additional member or line. Consequently, the manufacturing costof the lens moving apparatus 1000 is reduced and the structure of thelens moving apparatus 1000 is simplified. This may be equally applied toa case in which another device for helping operation of the lens movingapparatus 1000 is further disposed in addition to the first sensor 170.

Meanwhile, the lens moving apparatus 1000 may be used in various fields,such as a camera module. For example, the camera module may be appliedto a mobile device, such as a mobile phone.

A camera module according to an embodiment may include a lens barrelcoupled to a bobbin 110, an image sensor (not shown), a circuit board250, and an optical system.

The lens barrel may be configured as previously described. The circuitboard 250, which is a part on which the image sensor is mounted, mayform the bottom surface of the camera module.

In addition, the optical system may include at least one lens fortransmitting an image to the image sensor. At the optical system may bemounted an actuator module capable of performing an auto focusingfunction and an optical image stabilization function. The actuatormodule for performing the auto focusing function may be variouslyconfigured. For example, a voice coil unit motor may be generally used.The lens moving apparatus 1000 according to the previous embodiment mayfunction as an actuator module capable of performing both the autofocusing function and the optical image stabilization function.

In addition, the camera module may further include an infrared cut offfilter (not shown). The infrared cut off filter prevents infrared lightfrom being incident upon the image sensor. In this case, the infraredcut off filter may be mounted at a position of the base 210 shown inFIG. 2 corresponding to the image sensor. The infrared cut off filtermay be coupled to a holder member (not shown). In addition, the base 210may support the lower side of the holder member.

At the base 210 may be mounted additional terminal members for electricconduction with the circuit board 250. The terminals may be integrallyformed using a surface electrode.

Meanwhile, the base 210 may function as a sensor holder for protectingthe image sensor. In this case, a protrusion may be formed along theside of the base 210 while extending downward. However, this is not arequisite configuration. Although not shown, an additional sensor holdermay be disposed at the lower part of the base 210 for protecting theimage sensor.

According to the above-described construction, it is possible to performauto focusing and optical image stabilization of the first and secondlens moving units 100 and 200 commonly using the first magnets 130.Consequently, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and theweight of the housing 140, thereby improving responsibility. Of course,first magnets for auto focusing and first magnets for optical imagestabilization may be separately configured.

Another Embodiment

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment 2000of the lens moving apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. is a perspective viewof the lens moving apparatus 2000 according to another embodiment with acover member 300 shown in FIG. 1 removed, FIG. 19 is a perspective viewof a bobbin 1110, FIGS. 20 and 21 are enlarged views showing a windingprotrusion of the bobbin 1110, FIGS. 22 and 23 are perspective and rearperspective views of a housing 1140, respectively, FIG. 24 is a rearperspective view of the housing 1140 to which the bobbin 1110 and alower elastic member 1160 are coupled, FIG. 25 is a front view of asupport member 1220 according to another embodiment, FIGS. 26 and 27 areperspective views of a base 1210, a circuit board 1250, and a secondcoil 1230 according to another embodiment, FIG. 28 is a sectional viewtaken along line II-II′ of FIG. 18, and FIG. 29 is a sectional viewtaken along line III-III′ of FIG. 18. In FIG. 17, the cover member 1300corresponds to the cover member 300 shown in FIG. 1.

Although a plurality of support members 1220 is shown as belonging to afirst lens moving unit 1100, the support members 1220 may also belong toa second lens moving unit 1200 in a functional aspect. The supportmembers 1220 will be discussed in detail when the second lens movingunit 1200 is described.

The first and second lens moving unit 1100 and 1200 perform the samefunctions as the first and second lens moving unit 100 and 200 accordingto previous embodiment, respectively, and therefore a duplicatedescription will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 17, the first lens moving unit 1100 may include abobbin 1110, a first coil 1120, a magnet 1130, a housing 1140, an upperelastic member 1150, and a lower elastic member 1160. The magnet 1130 isidentical to the first magnet 130 of the lens moving apparatus 1000according to the previous embodiment, and therefore a duplicatedescription will be omitted.

The bobbin 1110 may include at least one of a first stopper 1111 or asecond stopper 1112. The first stopper 1111 may prevent the top surfaceof a body of the bobbin 1110 from directly colliding with the inside ofthe cover member 1300 although the bobbin 1110 deviates from aprescribed range due to external impact when the bobbin 1110 moves in afirst direction, i.e. a direction parallel to an optical axis, toperform an auto focusing function. In addition, the first stopper 1111may also function to guide a mounting position of the upper elasticmember 1150. According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, aplurality of first stoppers 1111 may protrude upward by a second heighth2. At least 19 stoppers 1111 may each protrude in the form of apolygonal post. In addition, the first stoppers 1111 may be symmetricwith respect to the center of the bobbin 1110. As shown, the firststoppers 1111 may be asymmetrically arranged to avoid interference withother parts.

The second stopper 1112 may prevent the bottom surface of the body ofthe bobbin 1110 from directly colliding with the base 1210 and the topsurface of the circuit board 1250 shown in FIGS. 17 and 29 although thebobbin 1110 deviates from a prescribed range due to external impact whenthe bobbin 1110 moves in the first direction, i.e. the directionparallel to the optical axis, to perform an auto focusing function.

According to this embodiment, a plurality of second stoppers 1112 mayprotrude from the edge of the bobbin 1110 in a circumferentialdirection. Referring to FIG. 22, the housing 1140 may be provided withlocation grooves 1146 formed at portions corresponding to the secondstoppers 1112.

In a case in which the second stoppers 1112 are initially located onbottoms 1146 a (see FIG. 22) of the location grooves 1146 in contact,the bobbin 1110 may move upward when current is supplied to the firstcoil 1120 and move downward when no current is supplied to the firstcoil 1120 as in uni-directional control in a conventional voice coilmotor to realize the auto focusing function.

On the other hand, in a case in which the second stoppers 1112 areinitially spaced apart from the bottoms 1146 a of the location grooves1146 by a predetermined distance, the auto focusing function may becontrolled according to the current's flow direction like bi-directionalcontrol in the conventional voice coil motor. That is, the bobbin 1110may move upward or downward in the direction parallel to the opticalaxis to realize the auto focusing function. For example, the bobbin 1110may move upward when forward current is supplied, and bobbin 1110 maymove downward when reverse current is supplied.

Meanwhile, the location grooves 1146 of the housing 2140 correspondingto the second stoppers 1112 may be depressed. As shown in FIG. 22, afourth width W4 of each of the location grooves 1146 may have moreuniform tolerance than a third width W3 of each of the second stoppers1112 shown in FIG. 19. As a result, the rotation of the second stoppers1112 in the location grooves 1146 may be restricted. Even when force isapplied the bobbin 1110 in a direction in which the bobbin 110 isrotated about the optical axis, not in the optical axis direction,therefore, the second stoppers 1112 may prevent the rotation of thebobbin 1110.

In addition, a plurality of upper support protrusions 1113 (see FIG. 19)may be formed at the top surface of the bobbin 1110, and a plurality oflower support protrusions 1114 (see FIG. 24) may be formed at the bottomsurface of the bobbin 1110.

As shown in FIG. 19, the upper support protrusions 1113 may each have acylindrical or prismatic shape. The upper support protrusions 1113 mayfix an inside frame 1151 of the upper elastic member 1150 and the bobbin1110 by coupling. According to this embodiment, the inside frame 1151may be provided at portions thereof corresponding to the upper supportprotrusions 1113 with first through holes 1151 a. The upper supportprotrusions 1113 and the first through holes 1151 a may be fixed bythermal fusion or using an adhesive member, such as epoxy. The number ofthe upper support protrusions 1113 may be plural as shown in FIGS. 18and 19. In addition, the distance between the upper support protrusions113 may be approximately set within a range capable of avoidinginterference with peripheral parts. That is, the upper supportprotrusions 1113 may be arranged at uniform intervals in a state inwhich the upper support protrusions 1113 are symmetric with respect tothe center of the bobbin 1110. Alternatively, the upper supportprotrusions 113 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to a specificimaginary line passing through the center of the bobbin 1110 althoughthe distance between the upper support protrusions 1113 is not uniform.

As shown in FIG. 24, the lower support protrusions 1114 may each have acylindrical or prismatic shape like the upper support protrusions 1113.The lower support protrusions 1114 may fix an inside frame 1161 of thelower elastic member 1160 and the bobbin 1110 by coupling. According tothis embodiment, the inside frame 1161 may be provided at portionsthereof corresponding to the lower support protrusions 1114 with secondthrough holes 1161 a. The lower support protrusions 1114 and the secondthrough holes 1161 a may be fixed by thermal fusion or using an adhesivemember, such as epoxy. The number of the lower support protrusions 1114may be plural as shown in FIG. 24. In addition, the distance between thelower support protrusions 1114 may be approximately set within a rangecapable of avoiding interference with peripheral parts. That is, thelower support protrusions 1114 may be arranged at uniform intervals in astate in which the lower support protrusions 1114 are symmetric withrespect to the center of the bobbin 1110.

Meanwhile, the number of the lower support protrusions 1114 may be lessthan that of the upper support protrusions 1113 based on the shapes ofthe upper elastic member 1150 and the lower elastic member 1160. Thatis, as shown in FIG. 18, the upper elastic member 1150 is divided intotwo parts which are electrically separated from each other to functionas terminals for supplying current to the first coil 1120. For thisreason, a sufficient number of upper support protrusions 1113 areprovided to prevent incomplete coupling between the upper elastic member1150 and the bobbin 1110. On the other hand, the lower elastic member1160 is a single body. Consequently, coupling between the lower elasticmember 1160 and the bobbin 1110 is achieved even using a smaller numberof lower support protrusions 1114 than the upper support protrusions1113. Alternatively, the lower elastic member 1160 may be divided intotwo parts which are electrically separated from each other to functionas terminals for supplying current to the first coil 1120. In this case,the upper elastic member 1150 may be a single body.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, two winding protrusions 1115may be provided at the upper outer circumference of the bobbin 1110.Opposite ends, i.e. a start portion and an end portion, of the firstcoil 1120 may be wound on the winding protrusions 1115. At the topsurface of the bobbin 1110 adjacent to the winding protrusions 1115, theends of the first coil 1120 may be electrically connected to the topsurface of the upper elastic member 1150 by a conductive connectionmember, such as solder (S).

In addition, a pair of winding protrusions 1115 may be arranged inbilateral symmetry shape with respect to the center of the bobbin 1110.Alternatively, the two winding protrusions 1115 may be disposed adjacentto each other while facing each other. In addition, a catchingprojection 1115 a may be formed at the end of each of the windingprotrusions 1115 for preventing separation of the wound first coil 1120or guiding the position of the first coil 1120. As shown, the catchingprojection 1115 a may be formed such that the width of each windingprotrusion 1115 protruding from the outer circumference of the bobbin1110 gradually increases. The catching projection 1115 a may have a stepstructure formed at the end thereof.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, at least one groove 1116 maybe formed at the side of each winding protrusion 1115. The groove 1116may include at least one of a first groove 1116 a or a second groove1116 b. At least one of the first groove 1116 a or the second groove1116 b may have a depth and a width greater than the diameter of thefirst coil 1120 such that the start portion or the end portion of thefirst coil 1120 can pass therethrough. As a result, the start portion orthe end portion of the first coil 1120 passing through at least one ofthe first or second grooves 1116 a and 1116 b may be easily located onthe at least one of the first or second grooves 1116 a and 1116 b. Inaddition, the first coil 1120 may pass through the groove 1116 withoutinterference with the upper elastic member 1150 disposed above thegroove 1116.

Meanwhile, both the first and second grooves 1116 a and 1116 b are shownin the figure. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Only oneof the first and second grooves 1116 a and 1116 b may be provided, orthree or more grooves may be provided.

One end 1121 of the first coil 1120 may be wound on a corresponding oneof the winding protrusions 1115 once or more, pass through the firstgroove 1116 a or the second groove 1116 b, and be electrically connectedto a portion of the top surface of the upper elastic member 1150disposed above the groove 1116. In the same manner, the other end of thefirst coil 1120 may pass through one or two of the grooves and beelectrically connected to the top surface of the upper elastic member1150. Electrical connection between the first coil 1120 and the upperelastic member 1150 may be achieved by any electrical connection methodsuch as soldering or welding or using Ag epoxy or conductive epoxy.

Alternatively, the end 1121 of the first coil 1120 may pass through thefirst groove 1116 a and then pass through the second groove 1116 b,which may be repeated once or more to tie the first coil 1120 such thatthe start portion and the end portion of the first coil 1120 can bearranged.

Meanwhile, an opening may be formed at the top surface of the groove1116. The opening may be partially or entirely covered by the upperelastic member 1150. That is, the upper opening of the groove 1116 arepartially or entirely covered by the upper elastic member 1150 coupledto the top surface of the bobbin 1110. Consequently, the first coil 1120passing through the groove 1116 may be prevented from moving toward theopening of the groove 1116.

According to the above-described construction, it is not necessary toperform a troublesome process of arranging the ends of the first coil1120 after winding the start portion or the end portion on the windingprotrusion 1115 for arrangement of the first coil 1120. That is, thefirst coil 1120 may pass through the groove 1116 in inward direction,the end 1121 of the first coil 1120 may be bent and located on the topsurface of the upper elastic member 1150, and the end 1121 of the firstcoil 1120 and the top surface of the upper elastic member 1150 may beelectrically connected by soldering. In addition, the first coil 1120may also be fixed. Consequently, assemblability may be improved, and theamount of solder consumed for soldering may be reduced.

Since the first coil 1120 is very thin, the first coil 1120 may be cutduring a winding process. In particular, when the first coil 1120 ispulled to arrange the end 1121 of the first coil 1120 during a solderingprocess, the first coil 1120 may be cut and discarded. According to thisembodiment, however, such a process of arranging the end 1121 may beomitted, thereby fundamentally preventing defect of products due to cutwires.

Meanwhile, the first coil 1120 may be wound on the outer circumferenceof the bobbin 1110 by a worker or a machine, and then the start portionand the end portion of the first coil 1120 may be wound on the windingprotrusions 1115 for fixing. For example, the first coil 1120 may bedisposed at a lower end 1110 a of the outer circumference of the bobbin1110 shown in FIG. 19. At this time, according to the worker, theposition of the end of the first coil 120 wound on each windingprotrusion 1115 may be changed. According to this embodiment, the firstand second grooves 1116 a and 1116 b are formed at opposite sides ofeach winding protrusion 1115 such that the end of the first coil 1120wound on each winding protrusion 1115 can pass a nearer one of the firstand second grooves 1116 a and 1116 b, thereby improving workability. Ofcourse, only one groove 1116 may be formed.

Meanwhile, the first coil 1120 may be a coil block having a ring shapeor a polygonal shape which can be fitted in the intercalative bindingshape onto the outer circumference of the bobbin 1110. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. The first coil 120 may be directlywound on the outer circumference of the bobbin 1110. In any case, thestart portion and the end portion of the first coil 120 may be wound onthe winding protrusions 1115 for fixing. Other configurations are thesame.

Other characteristics of the first coil 1120 and the bobbin 1110 areidentical to those of the first coil 120 and the bobbin 110 according tothe previous embodiment, and therefore a duplicate description thereofwill be omitted.

In addition, the housing 1140 is identical to the housing 140 includedin the lens moving apparatus 1000 according to the previous embodiment,except a partial difference of the structure including the first andsecond location grooves 146-1 and 146-2 in which the first and secondstoppers 111 and 112 are disposed, and therefore a duplicate descriptionthereof will be omitted. That is, first sides 1141, magnet locationparts 1141 a, second sides 1142, escape grooves 1142 a, third stoppers1143, upper frame support protrusions 1144, and lower frame supportprotrusions 1145 of the housing 1140 perform the same functions as thefirst sides 141, the magnet location parts 141 a, the second sides 142,the escape grooves 142 a, the third stoppers 143, the upper framesupport protrusions 144, and the lower frame support protrusions 145 ofthe housing 140, respectively, and therefore a duplicate descriptionthereof will be omitted. Some other components and connectiontherebetween will hereinafter be described.

The third stoppers 1143 may function to guide a mounting position of theupper elastic member 1150. To this end, as shown in FIG. 18, the upperelastic member 1150 may be provided with guide grooves 1155 having ashape corresponding to the third stoppers 1143 and at the position atwhich the guide grooves 1155 face the third stoppers 1143.

In addition, the bottom surfaces of the escape grooves 1142 a may beopen to prevent interference between second fixing parts of the lowerparts of the support members 1220, which will hereinafter be described,and the housing 1140. In addition, as shown in FIG. 23, steps 1142 b maybe formed at upper sides of the escape grooves 1142 a for supporting theinsides of upper parts of the support members 1220, which willhereinafter be described.

In addition, the outside frame 1152 may be provided with third throughholes 1152 a corresponding to the upper frame support protrusions 1144.The upper frame support protrusions 1144 may be fixed in the thirdthrough holes 1152 a using an adhesive or by thermal fusion.

In addition, the outside frame 1162 may be provided with fourth throughholes 1162 a corresponding to the lower frame support protrusions 1145.The lower frame support protrusions 1145 may be fixed in the fourththrough holes 1162 a using an adhesive or by thermal fusion

In addition, fourth stoppers 1147 may protrude from the lower side ofthe housing 1140. The fourth stopper 1147 may prevent the bottom surfaceof the housing 1140 from colliding with at least one of the base 1210 orthe circuit board 1250, which will hereinafter be described. Inaddition, in an initial state or during normal operation, the fourthstoppers 1147 may remain spaced apart from at least one of the base 1210or the circuit board 1250 by a predetermined distance. As a result, thehousing 1140 may be spaced apart in a lower direction from the base 1210and in an upper direction from the cover member 1300 such that theheight of the housing 140 in the optical axis direction can bemaintained by the support member pairs 1220, which will hereinafter bedescribed, without upper and lower interference. Consequently, thehousing 1140 may perform a shifting operation in a second direction anda third direction, which are a forward and backward direction and a leftand right direction, respectively, on a plane parallel to the opticalaxis.

Meanwhile, when the bobbin 1110 moves at least one of upward or downwardin the direction parallel to the optical axis to perform an autofocusing function, the bobbin 1110 may be elastically supported by theupper and lower elastic members 1150 and 1160. The upper elastic member1150 and the lower elastic member 1160 may each be a leaf spring.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 24, upper and lower elastic members 1150 and1160 may include inside frames 1151 and 1161 coupled to the bobbin 1110,outside frames 1152 and 1162 coupled to the housing 1140, and frameconnection parts 1153 and 1163 connected between the inside frames 1151and 1161 and the outside frames 1152 and 1162, respectively.

The frame connection parts 1153 and 1163 may be bent at least once toform a predetermined pattern. The upward and/or downward movement of thebobbin 1110 in the first direction parallel to the optical axis may beelastically supported by the change in position and minute deformationof the frame connection parts 1153 and 1163.

According to this embodiment, the upper elastic member 1150 may includea first upper elastic member 1150 a and a second upper elastic member1150 b which are separated from each other. Consequently, power havingdifferent polarities may be supplied to the first upper elastic member1150 a and the second upper elastic member 1150 b of the upper elasticmember 1150. That is, after the inside frame 1511 and the outside frame1152 are coupled to the bobbin 1110 and the housing 1140, respectively,opposite ends of the first coil 1120 may be electrically connected tothe first and second upper elastic members 1150 a and 1150 b bysoldering, at the top surface adjacent to the winding protrusions 1115,on which the opposite ends of the first coil 1120 are wound, such thatpower having different polarities can be supplied to the first andsecond upper elastic members 1150 a and 1150 b. To this end, the upperelastic member 1150 may be divided into two parts.

Meanwhile, assembly of the upper and lower elastic members 1150 and1160, the bobbin 1110, and the housing 1140 is identical to that of theupper and lower elastic members 150 and 160, the bobbin 110, and thehousing 140 as previously described, and a duplicate description thereofwill be omitted. However, at least one of the shape, number, or positionof the second through holes 1161 a and the fourth through holes 1162 amay be different from at least one of the shape, number, or position ofeach of the second through holes 161 a and the third through holes 162a.

In particular, since the upper elastic member 1150 may be divided intotwo parts, a larger number of upper support protrusions 1113 than thelower support protrusions 1114 may be provided to prevent a looseningphenomenon which may occur when the upper elastic member 1150 isseparated.

The second lens moving unit 1200, which functions as an optical imagestabilizer, may include a first lens moving unit 1100, a base 1210,support members 1220, a second coil 1230, and a position sensor 1240.The second lens moving unit 1200 may further include a circuit board1250.

The base 1210, the second coil 1230, a circuit member 1231, the positionsensor 1240, and the circuit board 1250 perform the same functions asthe base 210, the second coil 230, the circuit member 231, the secondsensor 240, and the circuit board 250, respectively, according to theprevious embodiment, except for a minor difference of the structure asshown in figure, and therefore a duplicate description will be omitted.That is, steps 1211, terminals 1251, support member location grooves1214, and a sensor location groove 1215 correspond to the steps 211, theterminals 251, the support member location grooves 214, and the secondsensor location groove 215 of the lens moving apparatus 1000 accordingto the previous embodiment, respectively.

The support members 1220 may be fixed to straight sides of the base1210.

As shown in FIG. 25, the support members 1220 may be individuallydisposed at the second sides 1142 of the housing 1140 for supporting thehousing 1140 while being spaced apart from the base 1210 by apredetermined distance. One end of each of the support members 1220 maybe inserted or disposed in a corresponding one of the support memberlocation grooves 1214 formed at the base 210 and fixed using an adhesivemember, such as epoxy. The other end of each of the support members 1220may be fixed to the upper end of a side wall of the housing 1140.

Since the support members 1220 are disposed at the second sides 1142 ofthe housing 1140 according to this embodiment, the four support membersmay be arranged in a symmetric fashion. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, two support members may be disposed ateach straight side of the housing 1140. In this case, therefore, theeight support members may be disposed at the second sides of the housing1140. In addition, the support members 1220 may be electricallyconnected to the upper elastic member 1150. Specifically, the supportmembers 1220 may be electrically connected to straight sides of theupper elastic member 1150.

Each of the support members 1220 may include a first fixing part 1221connected to the upper side of the housing 1140, elastic deformationparts 1222 and 1223, a second fixing part 1224, and a connection part1225. The first fixing part 1221, which is connected to the upper end ofeach second side 1142 of the housing 1140, may be provided with a groovecorresponding to a coupling protrusion formed at the second side 1142such that the first fixing part 1221 can be fixed to the upper end ofeach second side 1142 of the housing 1140 by fitting of the couplingprotrusion into the groove. In addition, the support members 1220 areformed separately from the upper elastic member 1150. Consequently, thefirst fixing part 1221 of each of the support members 1220 may beelectrically connected to the upper elastic member 1150 by soldering.That is, the two divided parts of the upper elastic member 1150 may beelectrically connected to two of the four support members to supplycurrent to the first coil 1120.

The elastic deformation parts 1222 and 1223 may be bent at least once toform a predetermined pattern. According to this embodiment, the elasticdeformation parts 1222 and 1223 may include at least one of first orsecond elastic deformation parts 1222 and 1223. In addition, theconnection part 1225 may be disposed at the middle between the elasticdeformation parts 1222 and 1223. The elastic deformation parts 1222 and1223 may have a shape matched with each other. For example, as shown inFIG. 25, when the first elastic deformation part 1222 is bent twice ormore into a zigzag shape, the second elastic deformation part 1223 mayhave a shape corresponding to that of the first elastic deformation part1222. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The second elasticdeformation part 1223 may have a shape different from that of the firstelastic deformation part 1222. FIG. 25 shows merely one embodiment. Theelastic deformation parts may have various other patterns. The first andsecond elastic deformation parts 1222 and 1223 may be integrated into asingle elastic deformation part. Alternatively, the first and secondelastic deformation parts 1222 and 1223 may be configured in the form ofa suspension wire having no pattern. According to this embodiment,straight parts of the first and second elastic deformation parts 1222and 1223 may be approximately parallel to a plane perpendicular to theoptical axis.

When the housing 1140 moves in the second direction and/or the thirddirection perpendicular to the optical axis, the first and secondelastic deformation parts 1222 and 1223 may be minutely and elasticallydeformed in a moving direction of the housing 1140 or a longitudinaldirection of the support members 1220. As a result, the housing 1140 maymove substantially in the second and third directions perpendicular tothe optical axis with little change in position of the housing 1140 inthe first direction parallel to the optical axis, thereby improvingaccuracy of optical image stabilization. This is based on properties ofthe elastic deformation parts 1222 and 1223 extending in thelongitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction may be a direction inwhich the first fixing part 1221 and the second fixing part 1224 areconnected to each other.

The second fixing part 1224 may be provided at one end of each supportmember 1220. In addition, the second fixing part 1224 may be formed in aplate shape having a larger width than the first and second elasticdeformation parts 1222 and 1223. However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. The second fixing part 1224 may have a width equal to or lessthan that of the first and second elastic deformation parts 1222 and1223. According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the secondfixing part 1224 may be divided into two parts, which may be inserted ordisposed in corresponding ones of the support member location grooves1214 of the base 1210. The second fixing part 1224 may be fixed using anadhesive member, such as epoxy. However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. The second fixing part 1224 may be fitted into a correspondingone of the support member location grooves 1214. Alternatively, only onesecond fixing part 1224 may be formed, or two or more second fixingparts 1224 may be formed. In this case, the base 1210 may be providedwith support member location grooves 1214 corresponding to the secondfixing parts 1224.

The connection part 1225 may be disposed at the middle between the firstand second elastic deformation parts 1222 and 1223. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. The connection part 1225 may bedisposed to be connected to one of the elastic deformation parts. Inaddition, the connection part 1225 may be formed in a plate shape forfunctioning as a damper. The connection part 1225 may be provided with aplurality of holes or grooves, through which the connection part 1225and the housing 1140 may constitute a damping unit using a UV damper. Inthis embodiment, a pair of first elastic deformation parts 1222 and apair of second elastic deformation parts 1223 are provided. However, thefirst fixing part 1221 and the second fixing part 1224 each are a singlebody. Consequently, the pair of first elastic deformation parts 1222 andthe pair of second elastic deformation parts 1223 can be simultaneouslyfixed to the housing 1140 and the base 1210. In addition, one or morefixing parts may be provided at each end of each support member 1220,and one or more elastic deformation parts may be provided between theends of each support member 1220.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the upper elastic member 1150may be divided into the first and second upper elastic members 1150 aand 1150 b, to which power having different polarities is supplied.Consequently, terminals (not shown) for supplying power may be furtherprovided at the first and second upper elastic members 1150 a and 1150b. The terminals may be formed at two of the four support members 1220since positive (+) power or negative (−) power may be applied to theterminals.

The circuit board 1250 may be coupled to the top surface of the base1210. As shown in FIG. 27, the circuit board 250 may be provided withthrough holes, through which the support member location grooves 1214are exposed. The circuit board 1250 may be provided with a bent terminalmounting surface at which the bent terminal 1251 is mounted. Accordingto this embodiment, one bent terminal mounting surface may be formed atthe circuit board 1250. A plurality of terminals 1251 may be disposed atthe bent terminal mounting surface of the circuit board 250 so thatexternal power may be received through the terminals 1251 to supply thecurrent to the first and second coils 1120 and 1230.

The number of the terminals disposed at the bent terminal mountingsurface may be changed based on the kinds of components to becontrolled. Meanwhile, according to this embodiment, the circuit board1250 may be an FPCB. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Theterminals of the circuit board 1250 may be directly formed at thesurface of the base 1210 using a surface electrode method.

In addition, although not shown, the second coil 1230 may include fifththrough holes (not shown) formed through corners of the circuit member1231. The support members 1220 may be connected to the circuit board1250 through the fifth through holes. Alternatively, in a case in whichthe second coil 1230 is an FP coil, an optical image stabilizer (OIS)coil 1232 may be formed or disposed at a portion of the FP coil. Inaddition, instead of forming the fifth through holes, the supportmembers 1220 may be electrically connected to portions of the secondcoil 1230 corresponding to the fifth through holes by soldering.

Meanwhile, the base 1210 may be provided at the lower part thereof witha groove, in which an image sensor and a printed circuit board arecoupled, and a lens barrel is assembled to the bobbin 1110 to constitutea camera module. Alternatively, the base 1210 may be provided at thelower part thereof with an additional image sensor holder.Alternatively, the base 1210 may extend downward such that a cameramodule board having an image sensor mounted at the bottom surfacethereof can be directly coupled to the base 1210.

According to the above-described construction, it is possible for thelens moving apparatus 2000 to perform auto focusing and optical imagestabilization of the first and second lens moving units 1100 and 1200commonly using the magnets 1130. Consequently, it is possible to reducethe number of parts and the weight of the housing 1140, therebyimproving responsibility. Of course, magnets for auto focusing andmagnets for optical image stabilization may be separately configured.

In addition, the ends 1121, i.e. the start portion and the end portion,of the first coil 1120 may pass through the grooves 1116 formed at theopposite sides of the winding protrusions 1115 and then be fixed at thetop surface of the upper elastic member 1150 by soldering (S).Consequently, it is possible to omit a process of winding the startportion and the end portion of the first coil 1120 on the windingprotrusions 1115 and arranging the start portion and the end portion ofthe first coil 1120, thereby reducing process time. In addition, it ispossible to prevent assembly defect due to contact with other partsduring the process of arranging the start portion and the end portion ofthe first coil 1120.

In addition, the start portion and the end portion of the first coil1120 may pass through the grooves 1116 such that a sufficient length ofthe first coil 1120 can be drawn into the bobbin 1110 as shown in FIG.21. Even when the first coil 1120 is cut due to carelessness of a workerduring a soldering process, therefore, another soldering process may beperformed since the length of the first coil 1120 is sufficient, therebyminimizing assembly defect.

The description of the lens moving apparatus 1000 according to theprevious embodiment may be applied to the lens moving apparatus 2000according to this embodiment as far as the description of the lensmoving apparatus 1000 is not contrary to that of the lens movingapparatus 2000. In addition, the description of the lens movingapparatus 2000 may be applied to the lens moving apparatus 1000 as faras the description of the lens moving apparatus 2000 is not contrary tothat of the lens moving apparatus 1000.

As is apparent from the above description, in a lens moving apparatusaccording to an embodiment and a camera module including the same, firstand second support members and first and second upper elastic members,which are electrically separated from each other, are connected to eachother on the same plane of a housing while being opposite to each other.Consequently, it is possible to reduce time necessary to perform asoldering process and thus to reduce manufacturing time. In addition,one support member facing each side of the housing is divided into twoparts, a lower elastic member is divided into two parts, and a firstsensor is connected to a circuit board using the divided support membersand the divided lower elastic member. Consequently, an additionalstructure for a first sensor is not required, and therefore it ispossible to add a first sensor for accurately controlling the positionof a bobbin with low cost and to give feedback of a value sensed by thefirst sensor such that a lens can be accurately focused.

In addition, in a lens moving apparatus according to another embodimentand a camera module including the same, a start portion and an endportion of a coil are disposed at the top surface of an elastic membersuch that the coil and the elastic member is electrically connected toeach other by soldering. Consequently, it is possible to prevent anassembly error, such as breaking or poor electric conduction, during asoldering process. In addition, grooves are disposed near a windingprotrusion such that the coil can pass through a nearer one of thegrooves based on how many times the coil is wound on the windingprotrusion. Consequently, it is possible to change a soldering positionas needed.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens moving apparatus, comprising: a base; ahousing disposed on the base; a bobbin disposed in the housing; a firstcoil mounted at an outer circumference of the bobbin; a first magnetdisposed on the housing and moving the bobbin in a first directionparallel to an optical axis by interaction with the first coil; an upperelastic member disposed on a upper portion of the bobbin and upperportion of the housing; a lower elastic member disposed on a lowerportion of bobbin and a lower portion of the housing; a circuit boarddisposed on the base; and a second coil disposed on the circuit board,wherein the circuit board comprises a first part corresponding to uppersurface of the base and a second part corresponding to side surface ofthe base.
 2. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecircuit board comprises downwardly bending portion connecting the firstpart and the second part.
 3. The lens moving apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the second coil is disposed on the first part andelectrically connected to the circuit board.
 4. The lens movingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second part comprises aplurality of terminals which are disposed on edge of the second part. 5.The lens moving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the terminalsare configured to receive external power to supply current to the firstcoil or the second coil.
 6. The lens moving apparatus according to claim1, wherein the circuit board comprises two second part, wherein thefirst part comprises first side and second side opposite to the firstside, wherein one second part is disposed on a first side of the firstpart, and wherein the other second part is disposed on a second side ofthe first part.
 7. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1,comprising: first and second protrusions disposed on the bobbin, whereinthe first coil is wound on the first and second protrusions.
 8. The lensmoving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first and secondprotrusions disposed on the bobbin opposite to each other, and whereineach of the first and second protrusions is protruded from the outercircumference of the bobbin.
 9. The lens moving apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein a start portion of the first coil is wound on the firstprotrusion, and wherein an end portion of the first coil is wound on thesecond protrusion.
 10. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 8,wherein at least one of the first or second protrusion comprises acatching projection having a step structure formed at an end thereof.11. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a first endof the first coil is wound on the first protrusion, the first endportion of the first coil being configured to be electrically connectedto a portion of the upper elastic member, and wherein a second endportion of the first coil is wound on the second protrusion, the secondend portion of the first coil being configured to be electricallyconnected to another portion of the upper elastic member.
 12. The lensmoving apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first coil isconfigured to be electrically connected to the upper elastic member bysoldering, welding, using Ag epoxy, or conductive epoxy.
 13. The lensmoving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first coil isdisposed at a lower portion of the outer circumference of the bobbin,and wherein the first and second protrusions are disposed at an upperportion of the outer circumference of the bobbin.
 14. The lens movingapparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a first sensor detecting aposition of the bobbin in the first direction parallel to the opticalaxis; and a second magnet facing the first sensor and disposed on thebobbin.
 15. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 14, wherein acenter of the bobbin and the first protrusion are disposed on a firstline, wherein the center of the bobbin and the second magnet aredisposed on a second line, and wherein the first line is perpendicularto the second line.
 16. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the housing comprise a magnet location part, and wherein thefirst magnet is fixed to the magnet location part by using an adhesivemember.
 17. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a sensor for sensing motion of the housing in second andthird directions perpendicular to the first direction.
 18. The lensmoving apparatus according to claim 17, comprising a base including asensor location groove in which the sensor is disposed.
 19. The lensmoving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bobbin comprises: aplurality of upper support protrusions disposed at the top surface ofthe bobbin; and a plurality of lower support protrusions disposed at thebottom surface of the bobbin, wherein the upper elastic member comprisesa plurality of first through holes disposed at positions correspondingto the plurality of upper support protrusions, and wherein the lowerelastic member comprises a plurality of second through holes disposed atpositions corresponding to the plurality of lower support protrusions.20. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the upperelastic member comprises first and second elastic members, wherein anumber of the upper support protrusions is greater than a number of thelower support protrusions, and wherein a number of the first throughholes is greater than a number of the second through holes, wherein anumber of the lower support protrusions is greater than a number of theupper support protrusions, and wherein a number of the second throughholes is greater than a number of the first through holes.